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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND KEVIN M. RANSOM v. BALTIMORE COUNTY, et al. : : : : : MEMORANDUM Before the Court are the motions for summary judgment filed by (i) Defendants Baltimore County, Steven Vaughan, and Timothy Bonsall, (the "County Defendants") and (ii) Defendant Anna Ransom. The parties have comprehensively

CIVIL NO. L-99-415

briefed the issues, and the Court dispenses with a hearing. See Local Rule 105.6 (D. Md. 1999). For the following

reasons, the Court shall, by separate Order, grant the defendants' Motions for Summary Judgment and close the case. I. Background This case concerns the arrest and involuntary commitment of the plaintiff, Officer Kevin Ransom. Ransom is a Baltimore County Police Officer. Mr.

During 1996

and 1997, Mr. Ransom and his wife, Defendant Anna Ransom, experienced marital difficulties and began living apart.1 In early October 1997, Mr. Ransom moved back in with Ms. Ransom. Ms. Ransom intended to move out on October 1, but

There is evidence of an romantic relationship between Mr. Ransom and a fellow police officer, Sharon Creed, wife of defendant Carl Creed.

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did not do so. On October 2, 1997, Mr. Ransom returned home at approximately 2 a.m. An argument between him and Ms. Ransom

ensued over Mr. Ransom's returning late from work. According to Ms. Ransom, Mr. Ransom stated that he was "tired" and "could not handle it anymore." He then pointed (See Anna

his service revolver at himself and at his wife. Ransom Dep. at 83-84, 86.)

In the early hours of October 4, 1997, at approximately 1 a.m., Ms. Ransom went to Mr. Ransom's precinct (Garrison) to report further concerns over her husband's behavior. reported that at 11 p.m. that evening (October 3), Mr. Ransom stated that "he could not take it anymore" and that he was planning to kill himself after his father's wedding on October 4. During this conversation, according to Ms. She

Ransom, Mr. Ransom had pointed his gun at his head and chest, and once put it in his mouth. at 87-90.) At the Garrison Precinct, Ms. Ransom was interviewed by the supervisor on duty, Lieutenant Landsman, by Captain Stephen Vaughan, by Detective Timothy Bonsall, and by Dr. James McGee, the director of Psychology and Forensic Services at Sheppard Pratt Hospital. The officers decided (See Anna Ransom Dep.

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to arrest Mr. Ransom and hold him for psychiatric observation. Detective Bonsall applied for a Statement of

Charges charging Mr. Ransom with assault. (Pl. Ex. A). Bonsall also completed a Petition for Emergency Evaluation requesting a psychological examination of Mr. Ransom (Pl. Ex. B). Ransom. Mr. Ransom was arrested at his home on the afternoon of October 4, 1997 and charged with assault. He was held for A commissioner issued an arrest warrant for Mr.

observation against his will at Sheppard Pratt Hospital until his discharge on October 10, 1997. Upon his

discharge, his treating psychologist, Dr. Dickerson, found him "not fit for duty at this time." 10.) Before Mr. Ransom's criminal trial, the State's Attorney for Baltimore County reduced the charges against Mr. Ransom from felony assault to misdemeanor reckless endangerment. At trial, Ms. Ransom invoked her marital The (Def. Anna Ransom Ex.

privilege and refused to testify against her husband. State's Attorney dropped the charges. to duty on March 16, 1998. restored.

Mr. Ransom returned

All of his back pay was

In February 1999, Mr. Ransom filed this suit against

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Baltimore County, Detective Bonsall, Captain Vaughan, Ms. Ransom, and Mr. Creed.2 The Complaint charges: (i)

defamation; (ii) false arrest and imprisonment; (iii) malicious prosecution; (iv) deprivation of the plaintiff's due process rights in violation of 42 U.S.C.

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Maryland Law