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Murphy v. Clark

Citation: 8 F. App'x 693Docket: No. 99-36093; D.C. No. CV-98-06191-TMC

Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; April 19, 2001; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The case involves a dispute concerning the removal of an individual, Murphy, from a professional setting due to safety concerns expressed by Aune, a party involved. The central legal issues include the applicability of qualified immunity and a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The court, operating under the jurisdiction of 28 U.S.C. § 1291, evaluated the actions of Clark, another involved party, who acted on Aune’s expressed fears for her safety. Clark's memorandum and subsequent actions were deemed reasonable under the circumstances, thus entitling him to qualified immunity. Furthermore, the defendants successfully argued that Clark's intentions were not to inflict emotional distress on Murphy, but rather to ensure Aune's safety, and Murphy failed to demonstrate that his removal constituted an extraordinary breach of social norms. The court affirmed the lower court's decision, with the ruling explicitly designated as non-precedential under Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3, indicating it cannot be cited in future cases. The outcome favored the defendants, validating their actions as lawful and justified given the context.

Legal Issues Addressed

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

Application: The defendants demonstrated that Clark did not have the intent to cause emotional distress; his actions were driven by a reasonable concern for safety.

Reasoning: On the claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, the defendants established that Clark did not intend to cause distress to Murphy; instead, he acted with a reasonable motive focused on Aune's safety.

Jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291

Application: The court's jurisdiction in this case is established under the statutory framework provided by 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

Reasoning: Jurisdiction is established under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and the court affirms the lower court's decision.

Non-Publication and Non-Citation of Disposition

Application: The court's decision in this case is designated as non-precedential and is not suitable for citation in future cases under Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Reasoning: The court affirms the decision, noting that this disposition is not suitable for publication and cannot be cited in future cases, in accordance with Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Qualified Immunity

Application: Clark's actions were deemed reasonable under the circumstances, granting him qualified immunity as a reasonable official could have believed his conduct was lawful.

Reasoning: In regard to qualified immunity, it is determined that a reasonable official in Clark's position could have believed his conduct was lawful.