Cunningham v. Minor et al

On April 17, 2026, Thomas Cunningham filed a federal lawsuit in Georgia against Officer David Minor and the Brookville Police Department. Cunningham alleged that during a routine traffic stop, Minor and other officers pulled him from his vehicle, threw him to the ground, and repeatedly struck him, causing a fractured orbital bone and permanent nerve damage. Body-worn camera footage, which partially captured the incident, became central to the case. The plaintiff argued the force was unprovoked and racially motivated. The defense contended Cunningham resisted arrest and the officers followed standard procedure. The trial lasted three weeks and drew national media attention.

The jury found in favor of the plaintiff, Thomas Cunningham, awarding $2.5 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages against Officer Minor. The Brookville Police Department was cleared of municipal liability.

Whether the officers' use of force was objectively unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment, and whether the doctrine of qualified immunity shielded them from liability.

The verdict intensified nationwide debates on police reform, prompted the Brookville City Council to mandate de-escalation training, and inspired similar lawsuits across the state. Civil rights groups hailed it as a landmark for accountability.