The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ruled against Alton Goodwin’s request for a new trial following a jury’s decision in favor of Boston police in a wrongful-death lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns emphasized that the jury found no violation of constitutional rights concerning the deceased, Stilphen. Consequently, this outcome led to the dismissal of Monell claims and rendered the § 1983 claim against the city invalid. Judge Stearns articulated, “Because the jury found that the officers did not violate Stilphen’s constitutional rights, the court will dismiss the Monell claim. Here, because the jury determined that the officers did not violate Stilphen’s constitutional rights, the § 1983 claim against the city necessarily fails, and the request to dismiss the Monell claim must be allowed.”
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