May v. Carbon Hill, Alabama, City of

This federal civil rights lawsuit was brought by Keshia May, administratrix of the estate of Jeremy May, against the City of Carbon Hill, Alabama. The case arose from an incident on June 8, 2021, when police responded to a domestic disturbance call. Jeremy May, reportedly armed with a knife, was fatally shot by a Carbon Hill police officer. The plaintiff alleged the officer used excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment and that the city failed to properly train and supervise its officers. On June 9, 2023, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, a federal jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, holding the city and the officer liable for wrongful death.

On June 9, 2023, a federal jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury found the City of Carbon Hill and the involved officer liable and awarded $1.5 million in damages to the estate of Jeremy May.

The central dispute was whether the police officer's use of deadly force was objectively reasonable under the circumstances, or whether it constituted excessive force in violation of Jeremy May's Fourth Amendment rights. The case also focused on municipal liability for the City of Carbon Hill based on inadequate training and supervision policies.

The verdict underscored ongoing national concerns about police accountability and the use of deadly force, especially within small municipal departments. It was viewed as a significant civil rights decision in Alabama, reinforcing the ability of families to seek judicial redress for alleged constitutional violations by law enforcement, and prompted renewed discussions on police training and de-escalation policies.