Date of Offense
Statement
Officer Rodreiuz Porter of Columbus Police Department (Mississippi) has pending Federal Civil Rights Litigation / Allegations of Deliberate Indifference to Medical Needs. Officer Rodreiuz Porter is a named defendant in an active federal civil rights lawsuit filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.
- Case Caption: Guyton et al v. Porter et al
- Case Number: 1:2023cv00069
- Filing Date: May 2, 2023
- Status: Ongoing / Pending Jury Trial
The lawsuit stems from a February 2022 incident involving the arrest and subsequent death of a detainee, Michael Guyton. The plaintiffs (Guyton’s adult children) allege that Officer Porter and co-defendant Officer Jameson Holder violated the decedent's Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights by failing to provide timely, necessary medical assistance during a visible, life-threatening emergency while the decedent was in police custody.
Specifically, the civil complaint alleges the following timeline and actions regarding Officer Porter:
- 4:30 p.m.: Michael Guyton was placed under arrest following an altercation.
- 4:45 p.m.: While in custody, Guyton explicitly informed law enforcement that he was under the care of a neurologist, was experiencing active tremors, and was suffering from severe back, neck, and shoulder pain. Guyton directly requested that Officer Porter call emergency medical services (EMS).
- Failure to Intervene: The complaint alleges that Officer Porter relayed the medical request to Officer Holder but failed to personally contact EMS, leaving Guyton inside a patrol vehicle without medical intervention.
- 5:21 p.m.: More than 30 minutes after the initial request for emergency assistance, Guyton was found slumped and completely unresponsive in the patrol vehicle. He later passed away.
The defense may argue that these allegations are material to Officer Porter’s credibility, judgment, and adherence to departmental policies regarding the care and custody of detainees. Specifically, the pending claims of "deliberate indifference" to a citizen's constitutional rights and physical safety may be utilized by defense counsel for impeachment purposes during cross-examination under Giglio v. United States, particularly in cases involving:
- The credibility of Officer Porter's testimony regarding the treatment, safety, or monitoring of individuals in his custody.
- Allegations of a failure to follow standard operating procedures regarding medical emergencies or prisoner transportation.
Guyton et al v. Porter et al, Case No. 1:2023cv00069 (N.D. Miss.)
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