Fort Lauderdale Junior Partner Dorsey Miller received a defense verdict in Civil Rights matter styled Joe Mathis v. Det. Erick Quigley and Det. Justin Augustus.  Plaintiff claimed that he was beaten by two BSO Officers, Deputy Quigley and Deputy Augustus, resulting in a broken nose.  According to the BSO Event Report, Mr. Mathis was the subject of a “buy-bust” operation in Pompano Beach.  During that operation, an undercover officer brokered an illegal narcotics transaction with Plaintiff, after which BSO deputies moved in to arrest him. Plaintiff fled to a nearby apartment located at 1565 NW 14th Circle and locked the door behind him. After initially ignoring several verbal commands to open the door, he finally relented, at which point Deputies Quigley and Augustus entered the apartment and attempted to place him under arrest.  A scuffle ensued and Deputy Quigley attempted a knee strike to the Plaintiff’s abdomen to gain control over him, but wound up striking him in the face. Plaintiff then ceased resisting arrest and was taken into custody.  Plaintiff alleged a violation of his right to be free from excessive force under the Fourth Amendment. Defendants denied all allegations and claimed qualified immunity. After a 2-day jury trial, a directed verdict was granted in favor of Det. Augustus and a defense verdict was entered in favor of Det. Quigley after 10 minutes of deliberation. Read more