Federal Appeals Court Revives Pastor Jennings' Lawsuit

A federal appeals court has ruled that the police officers involved in the arrest of Pastor Michael Jennings while he was watering a neighbor's flowers can be sued, reversing a previous dismissal by a lower court. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the officers lacked probable cause and are not protected by qualified immunity. Jennings was arrested in May 2022 after a neighbor reported him as suspicious, despite body camera footage showing him identifying himself and explaining his presence. His attorneys argue that the arrest was made without probable cause within minutes of the officers' arrival. The ruling allows Jennings to pursue his lawsuit against the officers and the City of Childersburg, marking a significant win for civil rights, according to Jennings' lawyer, Harry Daniels. The case will now return to the lower court for further proceedings.