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Morris Elder, Patsy Elder, Harry Eugene Elder, Herman Dale Elder, Carolyn Jones, Tracie Elder, Jimmy Elder, Olden Cranfield v. W.E. Pate, Ii, David Pate Dennis Bass, Dale Whitecotten, John Russell Campbell, Dean Williams

Citations: 21 F.3d 1121; 1994 WL 135232; 1994 U.S. App. LEXIS 17887Docket: 93-7044

Court: Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; April 18, 1994; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirms the district court's grant of summary judgment in a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 brought by Plaintiffs Morris Elder and others against Defendants W.E. Pate II and others. The appellate court exercises de novo review, applying the same standard as the district court. The decision is based on the qualified immunity of the Defendants, who acted under a court order, as established in precedent cases. The court finds that the Plaintiffs provided no evidence that the Defendants overstepped their authority in executing the court's directive. The judgment is not considered binding precedent, except under specific legal doctrines.

Legal Issues Addressed

De Novo Review Standard

Application: The appellate court applied a de novo review standard, examining the case with the same criteria as the district court.

Reasoning: The appellate court exercises de novo review, applying the same standard as the district court.

Non-Binding Precedent

Application: The judgment in this case is not considered binding precedent, indicating its limited applicability in future cases.

Reasoning: The judgment is not considered binding precedent, except under specific legal doctrines.

Qualified Immunity in Civil Rights Cases

Application: Defendants were granted qualified immunity because they acted under a court order, and the plaintiffs did not demonstrate that defendants exceeded their legal authority.

Reasoning: The decision is based on the qualified immunity of the Defendants, who acted under a court order, as established in precedent cases.

Summary Judgment under 42 U.S.C. § 1983

Application: The court affirms summary judgment for the defendants, indicating that the plaintiffs failed to present sufficient evidence to support their claims under the civil rights statute.

Reasoning: The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirms the district court's grant of summary judgment in a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 brought by Plaintiffs Morris Elder and others against Defendants W.E. Pate II and others.