Among many cases the U.S. Supreme Court routinely declined to consider today was an appeal by Little Rock Police Officer Donna Lesher, who contends she should be immune — for acting in an official capacity — from a civil lawsuit over the fatal shooting of Eugene Ellison.
Lesher was working private security in an apartment complex where Ellison lived. She and another officer went into his apartment because he was said to have been acting erratically. Lesher shot him when menaced her, she said. The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals had denied immunity for Lesher on use of force, but upheld it for the other officer, Tabita McCrillis. It said both officers entered the apartment improperly.
The Supreme Court denied Lesher’s petition without comment, clearing the way for a trial of the case.