Published on: Thursday, April 6, 2023
Sixth Circuit: Yes, these kids grew up without their dad because Detroit police officer Ronald Sanders framed him for murder, leading to him spending 32 years in prison (of a life sentence) before he was exonerated. But there's no evidence the cop had it out for the kids personally, their claim that the officer violated their Fourteenth Amendment right to familial integrity fails. Dissent: C'mon, that's not the test. It's sufficient that the officer's conduct shocks the conscience. But also, the cop totally knew this innocent man had a family and what the consequences of the false conviction would be.
The case is Chambers v. Sanders, No. 22-1446 (6th Cir. Apr. 3, 2023).