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McKnight v. Peterson

The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted. The judgment is vacated, and the case is remanded to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for further consideration in light of White v. Pauly, 580 U. S. ____ (2017) (per curiam).
Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
16-1003 9th Cir. N/A N/A N/A N/A OT 2016

Issues: (1) Whether, viewing the facts from the petitioner's perspective, he acted reasonably, under the Fourth Amendment, in firing in self defense, when an officer in his situation would believe that the suspect was armed, was suspected of a violent crime, refused to show his concealed hand, refused commands, and came at the officer; and (2) whether the petitioner was entitled to qualified immunity, when existing precedent did not clearly establish that the use of deadly force was unlawful under the particular situation faced by the officer, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit's analysis contravened the U.S. Supreme Court's explicit directions.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Feb 13 2017Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 20, 2017)
Apr 5 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of April 21, 2017.
Apr 12 2017Response Requested . (Due May 12, 2017)
May 3 2017Brief of respondent Steven O. Peterson, on Behalf of L. P., a Minor and Beneficiary and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Steven V. Peterson in opposition filed.
May 23 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 8, 2017.
May 23 2017Reply of petitioners Matthew McKnight, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Jun 12 2017Petition GRANTED. Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED for further consideration in light of White v. Pauly, 580 U. S. ____ (2017) (per curiam).
Jul 14 2017JUDGMENT ISSUED.