Cox

United States v. Cox

Good Law
151 F. App'x 554
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitOctober 21, 2005No. 04-10518California259 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

MEMORANDUM *

Rodney Wayne Cox appeals the district court’s denial of his motion to suppress on the ground that Officer Simonick used excessive force to seize him, in violation of the Fourth Amendment. We affirm.

Balancing the nature and quahty of the intrusion on [Cox’s] Fourth Amendment interests against the countervailing governmental interests at stake,” Simonick’s seizure of Cox was reasonable. Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 396 , 109 S.Ct. 1865 , 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). Si-monick’s conduct in pointing his gun at Cox for ten seconds and holstering his weapon immediately upon gaining control over him was not, as Cox asserts, extreme. Although the crime at issue was not severe, Simonick’s belief that Cox posed an immediate threat to his safety was objectively reasonable: Simonick, who observed Cox’s gang colors, was aware that members of motorcycle gangs often carried concealed weapons, Cox’s efforts to evade Simonick suggested that he might make additional efforts to avoid police intervention, and Cox boldly approached the oncoming Simonick before stopping, face-to-face, a short distance in front of him. Further, Simonick…

Sign in to read the full opinion

Create a free account to read the complete opinion text, citation history, and good-law status for this case.