Cop Cleared Over Pepper Spray Outside St. Louis Cardinals Game

A St. Louis, Mo., police officer is entitled to qualified immunity from claims that he violated a reporter’s First Amendment rights by using pepper spray against her and protesters outside Busch Stadium during a Cardinals game, the Eighth Circuit ruled, affirming a lower court’s decision.

The protesters were reacting to the acquittal of officer Jason Stockley in the September 2017 killing of Anthony Lamar Smith. Journalist Heather De Mian sued officer William Olsten and the city, alleging violations of her First and Fourth Amendment rights, and brought municipal liability, civil conspiracy, and state law claims. The lower court granted Olsten ...