Black Alabama Pastor Wins Appeal in Arrest Case Against Childersburg Police Department

After over two years of legal battles, Pastor Michael Jennings of Alabama may finally see justice served after a recent ruling by an appellate court. The case stems from a 2022 incident in Childersburg where Jennings, a Black pastor, was arrested by three police officers for watering his neighbor’s flowers.

The viral body camera footage of the incident showed Jennings being handcuffed and charged with obstructing government operations, despite explaining that he was simply tending to his neighbor’s garden at their request. Although the charges were eventually dismissed, Jennings filed a lawsuit against the officers for violating his constitutional rights and causing him emotional distress.

Chief District Judge R. David Proctor initially dismissed the case, but a recent ruling by a three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Court of Appeals has overturned that decision. The panel unanimously agreed that the officers lacked probable cause for the arrest, stripping them of qualified immunity and allowing Jennings to pursue civil liability against them.

Civil attorney Harry Daniels, who is representing Jennings, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, stating, “This is a win for Pastor Jennings and a win for justice. The video speaks for itself. Finally, Pastor Jennings will have his day in court and prove that wearing a badge does not give you the right to break the law.”

The case has sparked discussions about police accountability and the importance of upholding constitutional rights, particularly in cases involving racial bias. Jennings’ fight for justice serves as a reminder that no one, regardless of their profession, is above the law.