Michigan Court Grants Police Qualified Immunity After Detainee Dies in Jail Following Overdose

The tragic death of John Griswold in a Livingston County, Michigan, jail has reignited debates over police accountability and qualified immunity after a federal appeals court ruled in favor of 11 officers involved in the 2018 incident.

On October 2018, Brighton police arrested Griswold, a 38-year-old father of two with no criminal record, following a dispute with his brother. Family members informed officers that Griswold had ingested at least 10 unknown pills, later identified as ulcer medication. During transport to the county jail, Griswold exhibited severe symptoms, including slurred speech, difficulty staying upright, and reports of being unable to walk.

At the jail, nurse Trina Barnett observed Griswold sweating with pinpoint pupils and ordered an immediate emergency room evaluation. At St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital, attending physician Dr. William Kanitz diagnosed Griswold with QTc prolongation—a condition linked to antidepressants that causes abnormal heart rhythms—but found no immediate risk. However, Kanitz’s discharge papers included a critical warning: officers were instructed to seek help for "significant changes or worsening" or if there was "recurring vomiting."

Griswold died the following morning from "sudden cardiac death," according to court documents. Despite the medical warnings, jail officials failed to act on his deteriorating condition.

Court Ruling: Qualified Immunity Trumps Accountability

On [REDACTED], the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals granted qualified immunity to all 11 officers involved in Griswold’s death, reversing a March 2025 decision by Judge Robert White of the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan. Judge White had previously denied immunity to seven officers and the county, ruling that inadequate training led to officers’ deliberate indifference to Griswold’s medical needs.

The appeals court, however, disagreed. In its ruling, the court stated that to prove officers violated Griswold’s 14th Amendment rights as a pretrial detainee, his condition would have to be serious enough to require treatment or his need for medical attention would have had to be "obvious" to the average person. The court cited prior cases, including Blackmore v. Kalamazoo County (2004), Preyor ex rel. Preyor v. City of Ferndale (2007), and Burwell v. City of Lansing (2021), as precedents for its decision.

The court argued that Griswold’s case did not meet the standards set in these cases because he only vomited once and "displayed no outward signs of distress" while making "minor movements" throughout the night. The ruling suggested that these minor movements implied he was "in no immediate need of medical attention."

Contradictory Testimonies Raise Questions

Despite the court’s findings, officers’ own testimonies contradicted the ruling. After Griswold vomited around 8 p.m., officers checked on him 25 times throughout the night. However, they failed to call for medical assistance despite his unresponsive state and continued vomiting. The court did not address these contradictions in its ruling.

Legal Precedent and the Future of Police Accountability

Qualified immunity remains a contentious legal doctrine, often shielding police officers from civil lawsuits even in cases involving egregious misconduct. The 6th Circuit’s decision in Griswold’s case underscores the challenges faced by families seeking justice for wrongful deaths in police custody. Advocates argue that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, further limiting accountability for law enforcement officers.

For Griswold’s family, the ruling is a devastating blow. His brother, Tim Griswold, told WXYZ (ABC News affiliate) that John had been irritable due to anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications prior to his arrest. The family’s grief is compounded by the court’s decision, which they view as a failure to hold officers accountable for their inaction.