Houston Public MediaSep 20, 2025

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals again struck down a civil rights lawsuit targeting a Harris County constable's deputy accused in the 2016 shooting death of Ashtian Barnes. 

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/court/2025/09/20/531451/appeals-court-again-strikes-down-excessive-force-case-over-deadly-2016-houston-traffic-stop-death/

#Court #HarrisCounty #Houston #LawEnforcement #Local #News #Police #AshtianBarnes #FederalLawsuit #FourthAmendment #HarrisCountyLawsuits #US5thCircuitCourtOfAppeals #USSupremeCourt

Appeals court again strikes down excessive force case in Ashtian Barnes’ 2016 shooting death in Houston

The ruling in the case against a Harris County constable's deputy who shot Barnes during a traffic stop came several months after the Supreme Court revived the lawsuit and ordered the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to evaluate the totality of circumstances leading up to the deputy's decision to shoot Barnes, and not only the moment of threat.

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaMay 15, 2025

A unanimous Supreme Court on Thursday revived a civil rights lawsuit against a Houston-area police officer who shot a man to death during a 2016 traffic stop over unpaid tolls.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/law-enforcement/2025/05/15/521398/supreme-court-revives-lawsuit-over-fatal-houston-police-shooting-during-traffic-stop-for-unpaid-tolls/

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Supreme Court revives lawsuit over fatal Houston police shooting during traffic stop for unpaid tolls

The justices ordered the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to take a new look at the case of Ashtian Barnes, who died in his rental car in April 2016 on the shoulder of the Sam Houston Tollway in Houston. He was shot by Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Deputy Roberto Felix Jr.

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaOct 11, 2024

The case regards the 2016 shooting death of Ashtian Barnes by a Harris County Constable. The Supreme Court's decision could have a lasting effect on cases across the country related to law enforcement's use of deadly force.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/harris-county/2024/10/11/502712/u-s-supreme-court-to-hear-fatal-2016-harris-county-constable-shooting-case/

#Court #Crime #HarrisCounty #Local #News #Police #SupremeCourt #AshtianBarnes #DeadlyForce #HarrisCountyConstables #USFifthCircuitCourtOfAppeals

U.S. Supreme Court to hear 2016 Harris County Constable fatal shooting case

Barnes was shot and killed by a Constable in 2016 on the Houston Tollway during a traffic stop.

Houston Public Media