Jackson v. Willis

Illinois inmate Jackson filed suit under 42 U.S.C. 1983 alleging that, during his transfer between institutions, he was subjected to excessive force, and failure to protect by the refusal of his request to be placed in a prison in which he had no known enemies. He claims that other inmates were able to refuse transfers on that basis, but that officers lifted him over their heads and threw him, head first, into the van. The officers disputed his testimony, stating that he never claimed any injury, nor did he request medical treatment. The Seventh Circuit affirmed a verdict in favor of the defendants, rejecting a claim that Jackson was entitled to a new trial because the court refused to grant a continuance when his attorney withdrew on the eve of trial. The court had denied requests for appointed counsel, finding that Jackson had experience litigating and his pleadings demonstrated a grasp of the relevant facts and law, so that he was competent to proceed pro se. In permitting his attorney to withdraw, the court required him to remain as standby counsel. The court also upheld the admission of a seven‐year‐old disciplinary report without a limiting instruction or explanation, and of a 12‐year-old burglary conviction as evidence of Jackson’s truthfulness. View "Jackson v. Willis" on Justia Law