Morrow v. Myers et al.

On September 24, 2018, in Austin, Texas, David Morrow was involved in a confrontation with Officer Kevin Myers and another officer during a response to a domestic disturbance call. Morrow alleged that without provocation or legal justification, Officer Myers threw him to the ground, applied a chokehold, and repeatedly struck him while he was subdued. Morrow suffered multiple injuries requiring medical treatment. He subsequently filed a federal civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, claiming excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution. The officers maintained their use of force was reasonable and that Morrow resisted arrest. The case drew significant local attention to police conduct and use-of-force policies.

After a trial, the jury found in favor of plaintiff David Morrow, determining that Officer Myers used excessive force and lacked probable cause for the arrest. Morrow was awarded $175,000 in compensatory damages and $25,000 in punitive damages against Officer Myers. The city later settled outstanding claims separately.

The central dispute was whether Officer Myers used constitutionally excessive force against Morrow, and whether the officers had probable cause to arrest him, or if the arrest and subsequent prosecution were initiated maliciously and without reasonable grounds.

The verdict intensified local discourse on police accountability and led to renewed calls for mandatory body-worn cameras and de-escalation training within the Austin Police Department. The case became a reference point for community advocates pushing for clearer use-of-force standards and independent investigations of police misconduct.