McDowell Ex Rel. Jones v. Blankenship

RILEY, Chief Judge.

This appeal arises from an excessive-force claim 1 against Phelps County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Department Deputies Aaron Pinson, Michael Manley, and Mark Wynn (collectively, deputies). Following an unfortunate death during a traffic stop, the decedent’s mother, Regina McDowell, and daughter, through her next friend Katherine Jones (collectively, relatives), unsuccessfully tried their excessive-force claim before a jury. They now appeal, arguing the district court 2 erred in admitting Deputy Wynn’s deposition testimony when Deputy Wynn was unexpectedly absent from trial.…