Supreme Court Grants Immunity to Vermont Officer in Protest Suit

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that a Vermont state police sergeant is entitled to qualified immunity in a lawsuit filed by a protester who alleged excessive force during a 2015 arrest at the state Capitol in Montpelier. The decision reverses a lower court finding and stems from a sit-in protest over health care access that occurred on the day of then-Governor Peter Shumlin's inauguration.

The case, Zorn v. Linton, centers on events from January 8, 2015, when demonstrators advocating for universal health care remained inside the Capitol building after it closed for the evening. Police moved to clear the area and arrest those who refused to leave. Protester Shela Linton, who was seated on the floor and linked arms with other demonstrators, did not comply with orders to depart. According to the Supreme Court's opinion, Sergeant Jacob Zorn approached Linton, warned her that force would be used if she did not stand, and then took her arm, placed it behind her back in a rear wristlock, applied pressure to her wrist, and lifted her to her feet. Linton claimed the maneuver caused physical injuries to her arm and wrist, as well as psychological harm, including posttraumatic stress...