Shipp v. United States , 212 F. App'x 393 ( 2006 )

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
File Name: 06a0884n.06
Filed: December 7, 2006
No. 05-6861
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT
M. Stanley Shipp, )
)
Plaintiff-Appellant, )
) ON APPEAL FROM THE
v. ) UNITED STATES DISTRICT
) COURT FOR THE WESTERN
United States of America, ) DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
)
Defendant-Appellee. ) OPINION
Before: KEITH, McKEAGUE, Circuit Judges; and CLELAND, District Judge.*
DAMON J. KEITH, Circuit Judge. Plaintiff-Appellant M. Stanley Shipp (“Shipp”)
appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment dismissing his malicious prosecution claims
arising out of the conduct of a United States postal inspector and brought pursuant to the Federal
Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346, 2671, et seq. Because Shipp has failed to demonstrate
the existence of any genuine issue as to the facts that the United States postal inspector acted upon
probable cause and without malice, we AFFIRM the district court’s decision.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Factual Background
*
The Honorable Robert H. Cleland, United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Michigan, sitting by designation.
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In March 2000, Walter Watkins (“Watkins”) and Dan Swindall (“Swindall”)1 were employed
by the United States Postal Service (“Postal Service”) in Memphis, Tennessee. Watkins was a letter
carrier and delivered mail on a route that included a business owned by Shipp. Swindall was a postal
inspector with the United States Postal Inspection Service, the federal law enforcement branch of
the Postal Service. Inspector Swindall’s duties included investigation of crimes concerning the
postal service, such as mail theft, internal theft, robbery of carriers, or threats of violence against
carriers.
The events that gave rise to the criminal charges brought against Shipp, which provide the
basis for Shipp’s malicious prosecution action, are highly contested. Watkins’ version of the events
are as follows. At some point prior to March 11, 2000, he informed Shipp that the Postal Service
required a proper mail receptacle for mail to be delivered to Shipp’s business. When Shipp did not
acquire a proper mail receptacle, Watkins ceased delivery of mail to Shipp’s business. On March
11, 2000, as Watkins was delivering mail in the vicinity of the intersection of Kerr and Woodward
Avenues, Shipp, who was driving a gray 1989 Dodge Caravan, accelerated and attempted to run over
Watkins while yelling threats and obscenities.
Shipp, on the other hand, paints a strikingly different picture of the March 11, 2000
exchange. At some point prior to March 11, 2000, Shipp reported to Inspector Swindall and
Watkins’ supervisor, Donald Ray Greer (“Greer”), that he believed Watkins may have been involved
in selling or using drugs. According to Shipp, Watkins never advised him of the need for a proper
1
Inspector Swindall’s last name also appears in the record with the alternative spelling
“Swindle.”
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mail receptacle, nor did he cease delivery of mail to his business based upon his lack of such a
receptacle. Shipp denies ever having attempted to run down Watkins with his van or having used
threats or profanities against him. Rather, Shipp claims that on the date in question, he stopped his
van on the other side of the street from Watkins and had a conversation with him about the non-
delivery of his mail. Watkins informed Shipp that his mail was being held at the postal station.
Shipp had no further contact with Watkins and proceeded directly to the postal station where he
retrieved his mail from Greer.
It is undisputed that Watkins used a telephone at a residence located at 1112 Kerr Avenue
to call the postal station and report his version of the incident to his supervisor Greer. Greer in turn
contacted the United States Postal Inspection Service. During a follow-up call to the United States
Postal Inspection Service, Greer informed Inspector Swindall of Watkins’ report. While at the 1112
Kerr Avenue residence, Watkins also telephoned the Memphis Police Department (“MPD”). In
response to the call, MPD officers went to the scene of the alleged assault and conducted a
preliminary investigation.
On March 13, 2000, Inspector Swindall interviewed Watkins regarding the March 11, 2000
incident. During the interview, Watkins provided Inspector Swindall with a written account of the
event and stated that the children playing in the yard of 1112 Kerr Avenue may have witnessed the
altercation. Inspector Swindall proceeded to interview Shipp, and a nine to eleven-year-old juvenile,
Jermaine Alexander (“Alexander”), who lived at 1112 Kerr Avenue. Alexander stated that, on the
date in question, he saw a mail carrier jump onto the sidewalk to avoid being struck by a man in a
gray van who had cursed at and threatened the mail carrier.
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Thereafter, Inspector Swindall prepared an internal report that was placed in a case file.
Inspector Swindall advised Watkins of his interviews with Shipp and Alexander. He further advised
Watkins that if he wanted to file charges, he would have to contact the MPD directly. In connection
with his investigation, Inspector Swindall also spoke with MPD Sergeant Charnes. Sergeant Charnes
requested a copy of Inspector Swindall’s memorandum of the interview with Shipp, and the same
was provided to Sergeant Charnes.
At some point, Watkins identified Shipp as his assailant from a photographic line-up
provided by the MPD. On or about March 21, 2000, Watkins swore out a criminal complaint against
Shipp with the MPD. Thereafter, Shipp was charged with reckless endangerment under Tennessee
law. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-103. After learning that a warrant for his arrest had been issued,
Shipp turned himself in to the MPD on March 31, 2000.
A preliminary hearing was held in a Shelby County, Tennessee court. Watkins testified at
the hearing, but Inspector Swindall did not. Later, both Inspector Swindall and Watkins were
summoned to appear before a Shelby County grand jury to be held August 30, 2001. On that date,
a Shelby County district attorney informed Inspector Swindall, for the first time, that the indictment
against Shipp was for aggravated assault rather than reckless endangerment. Inspector Swindall was
called to testify before the grand jury, but Watkins was not called to testify. Later that day, the grand
jury declined to indict Shipp and returned a not true bill. Inspector Swindall closed his case file, and
neither he nor Watkins took any further action with regard to the case.
B. Procedural Background
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Shipp filed an administrative charge with the United States Postal Service on March 17,
2003. The same was denied by the United States Postal Service on September 2, 2003. On February
27, 2004, Shipp filed a malicious prosecution action against the United States pursuant to the Federal
Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346, 2671, et seq., in the United States District Court for
the Western District of Tennessee. In his complaint, Shipp alleged that Watkins and Inspector
Swindall initiated and caused the filing of criminal charges of reckless endangerment and aggravated
assault against him without probable cause and with knowledge of the falsity of the charges. On
May 16, 2005, the United States filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and
failure to state a claim, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) and (6), or alternatively, for summary
judgment pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56.
On October 3, 2005, the district court granted the United States’ motion. The district court
dismissed Shipp’s claims related to the conduct of Watkins on the grounds that the court lacked
subject matter jurisdiction under the FTCA, 28 U.S.C. § 2680(h). In relevant part, the FTCA
provides that the United States’ waiver of sovereign immunity shall not apply to any claim of
malicious prosecution, unless the claim concerns the acts or omissions of federal investigative or
law enforcement officers. 28 U.S.C. § 2680(h). The district court concluded that since Watkins was
only a mail carrier, and not a federal investigative or law enforcement officer, Shipp’s claims related
to Watkins’ conduct could not lie.
The district court also granted summary judgment dismissing Shipp’s malicious prosecution
claims concerning Inspector Swindall’s conduct. Specifically, the district court found that (1) Shipp
could not relitigate the issue of probable cause, because he had failed to establish that the state
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criminal proceeding had been brought against him without probable cause, and (2) reasonable minds
could not differ that Inspector Swindall had not acted with malice or an improper motive.
On November 30, 2005, Shipp timely appealed the district court’s grant of summary
judgment dismissing his claims related to the conduct of Inspector Swindall. Shipp does not dispute
the district court’s finding with respect to Watkins. Accordingly, the scope of the present appeal is
limited to the district court’s grant of summary judgement dismissing Shipp’s malicious prosecution
claims arising out of the acts or omissions of Inspector Swindall.
II. ANALYSIS
We review a district court’s grant of summary judgment de novo. Howard ex rel. Estate of
Howard v. Bayes, 457 F.3d 568, 571 (6th Cir. 2006) (citing Perry v. Jaguar of Troy, 353 F.3d 510,
513 (6th Cir. 2003)). In reviewing a grant of summary judgment, we apply the same legal standard
as the district court. United States v. Dairy Farmers of Am., Inc., 426 F.3d 850, 856 (6th Cir. 2005)
(citing Equitable Life Assur. Soc’y of the United States v. Poe, 143 F.3d 1013, 1015 (6th Cir. 1998)).
A motion for summary judgment should be granted only where the record “show[s] that there is no
genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter
of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). An issue concerning a material fact is genuine if the record as a
whole could lead a reasonable trier of fact to find for the non-moving party. Anderson v. Liberty
Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). We must review the evidence and draw all reasonable
inferences in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v.
Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986).
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In analyzing claims brought pursuant to the FTCA, a court must apply the substantive law
of the state in which the incident occurred, here Tennessee. 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1) (Under the
FTCA the district courts shall have jurisdiction of certain civil actions against the United States for
money damages, injury, or loss of property caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of
government employees acting within the scope of employment “under circumstances where the
United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the
place where the action or omission occurred.”) (emphasis added); see also FDIC v. Meyer, 510 U.S.
471, 478 (1994).
To prevail on a claim of malicious prosecution under the law of Tennessee, a plaintiff must
establish that: (1) the defendant instituted a prior suit or judicial proceeding against the plaintiff
without probable cause; (2) the defendant brought such action with malice; and (3) the action was
terminated in the plaintiff’s favor. Parrish v. Marquis, 172 S.W.3d 526, 530 (Tenn. 2005) (citing
Christian v. Lapidus, 833 S.W.2d 71, 73 (Tenn. 1992); Roberts v. Fed. Express Corp., 842 S.W.2d
246, 248 (Tenn. 1992)). In the instant case, our analysis centers on the first and second elements,
because it is undisputed that the Shelby County criminal proceedings were terminated in Shipp’s
favor when the grand jury declined to indict Shipp and returned a not true bill.
Shipp submits on appeal that the district court erred in granting summary judgment
dismissing his malicious prosecution action for the following three reasons: (1) the issue of probable
cause could be relitigated in the district court; (2) reasonable minds could differ on the issue of
whether Inspector Swindall acted with malice; and (3) the district court improperly relied on
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Inspector Swindall’s deposition testimony about Jermaine Alexander’s statements because this
testimony was hearsay evidence.
A. Institution of Criminal Proceedings
As a preliminary matter, the United States argues that the issues of probable cause and malice
need not be reached because Inspector Swindall did not directly initiate or prosecute the criminal
charges against Shipp. We reject this argument.
While it is not necessary that a defendant swear out a warrant or complaint to be liable for
malicious prosecution under Tennessee law, “something more than merely giving information must
be shown.” Wykle v. Valley Fidelity Bank & Trust Co., 658 S.W.2d 96, 98 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1983).
A defendant can be found liable if he or she actively takes “part in instigating or encouraging the
prosecution.” Id. (quoting Prosser on Torts, 836 (4th ed. 1971)). Active participation includes
“‘advis[ing] or assist[ing] another person to begin the proceeding, ratifi[ng] it when it is begun . .
. , or tak[ing] any active part in directing or aiding the conduct of the case.’” Id. (quoting Prosser
on Torts, supra at 836). Additionally, “‘[o]ne who causes another’s prosecution by false statements
or misrepresentations, made to a police officer, with an improper motive, is liable for malicious
prosecution, although he does not file a complaint or actually procure the prosecution.’” Peoples
Protective Life Ins. Co. v. Neuhoff, 407 S.W.2d 190, 200 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1966) (quoting Cohen v.
Ferguson, 336 S.W.2d 949, 954 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1959)).
In the present case, issues of fact remain as to whether Inspector Swindall advised, assisted,
aided, or encouraged Watkins or the MPD to commence or continue the criminal proceedings against
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Shipp. For the purposes of summary judgment, we will assume that Inspector Swindall actively took
part in instigating or encouraging the prosecution of Shipp.
B. Probable Cause
On appeal, Shipp contends that the issue of probable cause should have been relitigated at
the district court irrespective of the fact that probable cause had been found in a preliminary hearing
held in a Shelby County court. The district court, relying on Franklin v. Messmer, 111 F.App’x 386,
388 (6th Cir. 2004) and Smith v. Thornburg, 136 F.3d 1070, 1077 (6th Cir. 1998), found that
“[w]here a plaintiff alleging malicious prosecution had an opportunity to litigate probable cause by
way of a preliminary hearing conducted in the prior proceeding, . . . he may not relitigate the issue
of probable cause in a subsequent action.” Shipp v. United States, No. 04-2144, slip op. at 12 (W.D.
Tenn. Oct. 3, 2005). The district court held that Shipp had failed to satisfy the probable cause
element of a malicious prosecution claim because a preliminary hearing had been held in state court,
Shipp had been bound over to the Shelby County grand jury, and Shipp had not alleged any
wrongdoing with respect to the preliminary hearing.
In its discussion of applicable law, the district court overlooked an important exception to
the general rule that relitigation of a state court’s finding of probable cause is estopped in the federal
courts. A finding of probable cause in a preliminary state criminal hearing does not have preclusive
effect in a subsequent civil action for malicious prosecution when there is evidence of false
statements or misrepresentations by law enforcement officials during the criminal proceeding. See
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Hinchman v. Moore, 312 F.3d 198, 202-03 (6th Cir. 2002); Darrah v. City of Oak Park, 255 F.3d
301, 311 (6th Cir. 2001).2
In the proceedings below, Shipp argued that Inspector Swindall knew the charges were false,
but proceeded to initiate a prosecution against him. Thus, on summary judgment, the district court
would have been better advised to address the law enforcement false statement or misrepresentation
exception. See Darrah, 255 F.3d at 311. However, the district court’s failure to take into account
this exception is inconsequential for two reasons. First, there is no evidence that Inspector Swindall
made any false statement or misrepresentation. Even assuming that Watkins’ account of the March
11, 2000 incident was wholly fabricated, there is no indication in the record that Inspector Swindall
knew, suspected, or should have known or suspected that Watkins’ allegations were false.
Second, no reasonable fact-finder could conclude that Inspector Swindall instituted or
encouraged the criminal proceedings against Shipp without probable cause. Under Tennessee law
of malicious prosecution, “probable cause requires only the existence of such facts and
circumstances sufficient to excite in a reasonable mind the belief that the accused is guilty of the
crime charged. . . . Probable cause is to be determined solely from an objective examination of the
surrounding facts and circumstances.” Roberts, 842 S.W.2d at 248.
Here, Inspector Swindall received a report from a post office branch supervisor, Greer, that
one of his subordinates had reported an assault from the scene of the event. Inspector Swindall then
2
The fact that the Court applied Michigan law of collateral estoppel in Hinchman and
Darrah does not alter our analysis because under both Michigan and Tennessee law “identity of
issues” is a prerequisite for defensive issue preclusion. See Beaty v. McGraw, 15 S.W.3d 819, 824,
827 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998); Hinchman, 312 F.3d at 202 (citing Darrah, 255 F.3d at 311) (citing
People v. Gates, 452 N.W.2d 627, 630-31 (Mich. 1990)).
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interviewed the alleged victim, Watkins, and alleged perpetrator, Shipp. Although Shipp denied
attempting to run over Watkins with his gray van, he admitted that he had driven such a van to the
area near Kerr and Woodward Avenues on March 11, 2000 and approached Watkins to inquire about
the non-delivery of his mail. Both Watkins and Shipp mentioned that persons at 1112 Kerr Avenue
may have witnessed the incident. Inspector Swindall went to 1112 Kerr Avenue and interviewed
Alexander, who corroborated Watkins’ account of the events. Under an objective examination, it
is clear that there were “such facts and circumstances sufficient to excite in a reasonable mind the
belief” that Shipp was guilty of reckless endangerment or aggravated assault. See id. Based upon
the above undisputed facts, a reasonable jury could only conclude that Inspector Swindall had
probable cause to conduct an investigation, to advise Watkins to contact the MPD if he wanted to
press charges, to share his findings with MPD Sergeant Charnes, and to otherwise initiate or
encourage criminal proceedings against Shipp for the charge of reckless endangerment or aggravated
assault.
C. Malice
Shipp further argues that the district court erred in finding that “reasonable minds could not
differ with respect to the existence of malice, as no improper motive on Inspector Swindall’s part
has been shown.” Shipp, No. 04-2144, slip op. at 18. Under Tennessee law, “malice concerns the
subjective mental state of the [defendant].” Roberts, 842 S.W.2d at 248. “The definition of malice
for purposes of a malicious prosecution lawsuit is not the same as it is in a defamation case. Any
improper motive is sufficient to constitute malice when malicious prosecution is charged. Ill will
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or personal hatred need not be shown, though these would certainly be sufficient to establish
malice.” Kelley v. Tomlinson, 46 S.W.3d 742, 746 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2000) (citing Lawson v.
Wilkinson, 447 S.W.2d 369, 413-14 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1969)) (internal citation omitted); see also
Wright Med. Tech., Inc. v. Grisoni, 135 S.W.3d 561, 582 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001).
In support of his argument that factual issues remain as to whether Inspector Swindall acted
with malice, Shipp raises five points, all of which are unpersuasive. First, Shipp alleges that
Inspector Swindall did not conduct a complete investigation of the alleged assault. More
specifically, Shipp contends that Inspector Swindall should have interviewed other persons residing
at 1112 Kerr Avenue. The record provides that both Watkins and Shipp either suggested or
requested that Inspector Swindall interview witnesses from 1112 Kerr Avenue who may have
observed the March 11, 2000 incident. Accordingly, Inspector Swindall went to 1112 Kerr Avenue
and interviewed Alexander, who claimed to have witnessed the event. Alexander’s statements
squarely corroborated Watkins’ allegations. Inspector Swindall also made inquires with another
juvenile, but that child claimed he had not been present at the time of the incident.
There is no intimation in the record, and none can be inferred, that Inspector Swindall knew
or suspected that there were other persons residing at 1112 Kerr Avenue who possessed information
that would contradict Watkins’ or Alexander’s report of the March 11, 2000 incident. In fact, there
is no reason to believe that any such witness existed. There is no evidence that Inspector Swindall’s
investigation or the investigation of the Memphis Police Department revealed any additional
witnesses from 1112 Kerr Avenue. In his appellate brief and at oral argument, Shipp’s counsel was
unable to supply the names or a description of these amorphous “other persons” or provide any
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suggestion of what may have been revealed by an interview of these individuals. Therefore, it
appears that the manner in which Inspector Swindall executed his investigation was diligent,
reasonable, and not prompted by malice or any improper motive.
Second, Shipp argues that Inspector Swindall had no basis for instituting a criminal
proceeding against him for the more serious charge of aggravated assault when he had originally
been charged with only reckless endangerment. This argument fails because the record shows that
Inspector Swindall took no part in having the charge against Shipp changed from reckless
endangerment to aggravated assault. In fact, it appears that Inspector Swindall did not know that
the original charge had been altered until he appeared for the August 30, 2001 Shelby County grand
jury session. Moreover, even assuming, arguendo, that Inspector Swindall had played a role in
prompting the Tennessee authorities to modify the charge, it is clear that there was probable cause
to institute a prosecution for aggravated assault since both Watkins and Alexander had reported that
when Shipp tried to run down Watkins with his van, Shipp yelled that he was “going to kill”
Watkins. See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-13-101, 39-13-102.
Third, Shipp points to the fact that Inspector Swindall was listed as the prosecutor on Shipp’s
indictment form. The not true bill returned by the Shelby County grand jury on August 30, 2001,
lists Inspector Swindall as both a witness and the prosecutor. It appears from the record that the
inclusion of Inspector Swindall’s name on the form was simply a clerical error. The record is devoid
of any evidence that Inspector Swindall, a United States postal inspector and summoned witness,
simultaneously served as a Tennessee Shelby County prosecutor in the state criminal proceedings
against Shipp. The fact that Inspector Swindall’s name was mistakenly listed as the prosecutor on
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the not true bill returned by the Shelby County grand jury is immaterial and does not indicate malice
or an improper motive.
Fourth, Shipp notes that Inspector Swindall has provided no explanation as to why he
testified before the Shelby County grand jury and the alleged victim, Watkins, did not testify. Both
Inspector Swindall and Watkins were summoned to the Shelby County grand jury proceedings held
August 30, 2001, but only Inspector Swindall was called to testify. It is incontrovertible that
Inspector Swindall had no power over who was called to testify before the grand jury. Thus, this fact
has no bearing on the issue of malice.
Finally, Shipp argues that malice should be inferred on the basis that Inspector Swindall
instituted criminal proceedings against him without probable cause. As we have already found that
Inspector Swindall acted upon probable cause, this argument must also fail.
Shipp has not presented any cognizable argument, much less any evidence, to support his
contention that Inspector Swindall acted with malice, or that factual questions remain as to this issue.
The record is devoid of any indicia of malice or impermissible intent on the part of Inspector
Swindall. No reasonable fact-finder could conclude that Inspector Swindall acted with malice or
with any improper motive. Accordingly, the district court’s grant of summary judgment was
appropriate.
D. Hearsay
Shipp’s final ground for appeal is that the district court erred when it relied on Inspector
Swindall’s account of Alexander’s statements (that he had witnessed a mail carrier jump onto the
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sidewalk to avoid being hit by a man in a gray van who yelled threats and vulgarisms) because the
testimony amounted to inadmissible hearsay. “‘[I]t is well settled that only admissible evidence may
be considered by a trial court in ruling on a motion for summary judgment.’” See Wiley v. United
States, 20 F.3d 222, 226 (6th Cir. 1994) (quoting Beyene v. Coleman Sec. Servs., Inc., 854 F.2d
1179, 1181 (9th Cir. 1988)); see also Daily Press, Inc. v. United Press Int’l, 412 F.2d 126, 133 (6th
Cir. 1969) (stating that hearsay evidence cannot be considered on a motion for summary judgment).
Here, Inspector Swindall’s deposition testimony concerning Alexander’s statements was not hearsay
evidence because it was not offered for the truth of the matter asserted. See Fed. R. Evid. 801(c).
Rather, the statements were offered to demonstrate that Inspector Swindall’s investigation of
Watkins’ complaint had been undertaken upon probable cause and without malice. Therefore, we
find no error in the district court’s consideration of this evidence.
III. CONCLUSION
For the aforementioned reasons, we AFFIRM the district court’s grant of summary judgment
in favor of the United States.