Jake Lee Sheeler : “2020 Pocatello Officer Shooting Lawsuit: Defense Motions for Summary Judgement”

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Pocatello: City and Police Officers Request Summary Judgment in Lawsuit

In a recent development in the ongoing lawsuit involving the City of Pocatello and four police officers, attorneys for the defendants have requested a summary judgment in their favor. The defendants, which include the City, Police Chief Roger Schei, and officers Bridget McArthur, Jeffrey Eldridge, and Marisa Saldana, argue that the plaintiff, Jake Lee Sheeler, has failed to provide any evidence to support his claims. They maintain that Sheeler’s Fourth Amendment rights were not violated, and that the City was not “deliberately indifferent” to his rights.

Details of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed in July 2022, seeks more than $13 million in damages on behalf of Sheeler, who was left hospitalized after being shot five times by the officers. The incident occurred during a search for Sheeler following a burglary in which he took a handgun from a home on Hyde Avenue in Pocatello. The lawsuit alleges that the officers fired a total of 15 shots in three seconds, hitting Sheeler in multiple areas of his body.

Events Leading Up to the Shooting

According to the motion filed by the defendants, officers responded to reports of a burglary and encountered Sheeler, who pointed a gun at the victim before fleeing the scene. Sheeler was eventually found walking along the perimeter of a driving range and was shot when he did not comply with the officers’ commands. The lawsuit claims that conflicting instructions were given to Sheeler, making it impossible for him to respond appropriately.

Response from Sheeler’s Attorneys

In their response to the motion for summary judgment, Sheeler’s attorneys argue that the officers used unjustified force in shooting Sheeler. They claim that Sheeler only pointed the gun at the victim after being provoked and that he did not have a history of violent crimes. The attorneys also allege that the officers were informed that Sheeler was unarmed prior to the shooting and that his hands were visible to them.

Conclusion

The outcome of the motion for summary judgment is still pending, with no scheduled hearing date as of yet. The case highlights the complexities of police-involved shootings and the legal challenges that can arise in such situations. As the legal process unfolds, both sides will continue to present their arguments in pursuit of a resolution to this tragic incident in Pocatello..