The U.S. Supreme Court is reconsidering a civil rights lawsuit involving a Texas police officer who fatally shot a man during a traffic stop in Houston. The incident involved Officer Roberto Felix Jr. and Ashtian Barnes, who was killed in April 2016 on the shoulder of the Sam Houston Tollway over unpaid tolls.
The case was previously dismissed by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the Supreme Court justices seem to agree that this decision should be re-evaluated. The core of the dispute is whether the lower courts correctly assessed Felix’s actions solely at the moment he perceived a threat, which led to him shooting Barnes.
Officer Felix’s attorneys assert that he acted in self-defense, stating in their Supreme Court brief that Felix fired because he “reasonably feared for his life” after jumping onto the driver’s door sill of Barnes’ car as it began to move.
The legal representatives for Janice Hughes, Barnes’ mother, along with the Justice Department, argue for a broader examination of Felix’s conduct, considering the “totality of the circumstances.” Hughes’ lawyer, Nathaniel Zelinsky, contended that a comprehensive view would reveal Felix’s actions as excessive.
Justice Neil Gorsuch indicated that the court might issue a narrow ruling, suggesting that “the two-second rule is not the law.” This could potentially influence the nation-wide judicial standards without necessarily benefiting Hughes, as Officer Felix might still be protected by qualified immunity, a legal doctrine shielding officials from personal liability unless they violated a clearly established law.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised concerns that siding with Hughes might increase risks for police officers during traffic stops, where split-second decisions are often necessary. “The officer does not get the time we spent here today making the decision,” Kavanaugh remarked.
Details from the case reveal that Barnes was on his way to collect his girlfriend’s daughter from daycare when Felix stopped him due to unpaid tolls linked to the car’s license plate. The car, rented by Barnes’ girlfriend, had outstanding tolls unbeknownst to Barnes.
Judge Patrick Higginbotham of the 5th Circuit expressed regret in his ruling, noting the tragedy of a “routine traffic stop” ending in the death of an unarmed Black man. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision by early summer.
