The court of appeals reversed a district court judgment and remanded the action for further proceedings. The court held that where the applicable constitutional standard is deliberate indifference, a plaintiff may state a civil rights claim for supervisory liability based upon the supervisor’s knowledge of and acquiescence in unconstitutional conduct by others.
Dion Starr sued Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca in his individual capacity, along with certain deputy sheriffs, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983. Starr alleged that while he was a prisoner in the Los Angeles County Jail, sheriff’s deputies allowed a group of attacking inmates into his cell. According to Starr, he was beaten and stabbed by the fellow inmates, then abused by a deputy while the other deputies stood by.
