Estate of Ahmed M. Guled v. Minneapolis

After police officers shot and killed Ahmed Guled, Guled's father filed suit against the City and the officers under 42 U.S.C. 1983, alleging excessive force. The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment for the City, holding that the father lacked standing to bring a section 1983 claim because he was not a trustee under Minnesota's wrongful death statute. In this case, the father had an opportunity to obtain compensation resulting from Guled's death: He was able to obtain trustee status, though it was later revoked. Had the father obtained the consent of Guled's brother, he could have secured trustee status again. The court also held that Minnesota's statutory scheme generally provides the opportunity for a trustee to pursue a section 1983 claim, and therefore was not inconsistent with section 1983's purpose of compensating injured parties or preventing abuses of power. View "Estate of Ahmed M. Guled v. Minneapolis" on Justia Law