Baltimore, MD — A Maryland man who was catastrophically injured during a violent 2017 police chase has lost his civil rights lawsuit against more than a dozen Baltimore Police officers after a federal judge granted summary judgment in favor of the officers.
Terril Corbett, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and permanent paralysis after being shot while riding in the back seat of a car during a high-speed chase, filed suit against the Baltimore Police Department, its leadership, and 13 named officers. The case alleged that officers either shot him or failed to protect him during a chaotic pursuit of then-fugitive Mausean Carter.
On December 15, 2017, Corbett was on a routine trip to a hardware store when a bullet struck him in the head as Carter led police across the city in a reckless, armed escape attempt. Carter was later found with two firearms, including an AK-47 style rifle, and was arrested after a lengthy pursuit that ended only when his vehicle was disabled.
Corbett initially alleged that he was hit by gunfire from either Carter or police officers. In later filings, Corbett focused his claims on Officer Roberto Arena, alleging Arena fired the shot that caused his injuries. However, in a 42-page opinion filed Monday, the court found that Corbett could not produce sufficient evidence linking Arena or any of the other officers to the gunfire that struck him.
The judge concluded that the officers’ actions during the pursuit did not rise to a constitutional violation and that Corbett’s injuries, while tragic, did not result from unlawful police conduct. The court also dismissed Corbett’s Monell claim against the Baltimore Police Department, which alleged systemic failure to train officers on use of force during pursuits. The judge found no policy or practice that encouraged reckless conduct.
Additional claims for supervisory liability against then-Commissioner Kevin Davis and Chief T.J. Smith were also dismissed. Corbett had alleged the department failed to properly supervise or discipline its officers, but the court found no evidence of deliberate indifference or negligence.
Carter, the shooter, was previously charged in connection with multiple crimes, including homicide. Corbett’s separate battery claim against Carter remains unaffected by this ruling.
Key Points
- A federal judge dismissed a civil rights lawsuit by Terril Corbett, who was shot during a 2017 police chase.
- The court found no evidence that Baltimore officers fired the shot or acted unlawfully during the pursuit.
- Monell and supervisory liability claims against the Baltimore Police Department and senior officials were also rejected.
A Baltimore man paralyzed by gunfire during a chaotic police chase lost his legal bid to hold officers responsible.