McCoy v. Kavli et al

On February 25, 2025, Jamal McCoy, an African American man, was stopped by Officers Mark Kavli and Sarah Lindgren of the Midvale Police Department for a broken taillight. The encounter escalated, resulting in Officer Kavli deploying a taser and physically striking McCoy, causing a fractured orbital bone and severe psychological distress. McCoy filed a federal civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the officers and the city, alleging excessive force, unlawful seizure, and failure to intervene. Body-worn camera footage, partially obstructed, showed conflicting accounts of whether McCoy resisted. The case drew immediate national attention amid ongoing debates over police accountability.

A federal jury found Officer Kavli liable for excessive force and Officer Lindgren liable for failure to intervene, awarding McCoy $4.2 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The City of Midvale settled a separate Monell claim for $1.8 million before trial. The officers' qualified immunity defense was denied at summary judgment, a ruling upheld on appeal.

Whether Officer Kavli used excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment; whether Officer Lindgren had a duty to intervene; and whether the officers are entitled to qualified immunity. The reliability of partially obstructed body-camera evidence and the credibility of witness testimonies were central to the dispute.

The verdict intensified national discourse on police reform, leading to protests in Midvale and legislative proposals to restrict qualified immunity. The city implemented mandatory de-escalation training and enhanced body-camera policies. The case became a reference in congressional hearings on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.