Bester v. Roberson et al

On December 19, 2025, Marcus Bester, an African American man, was pulled over in Ridgewood, Ohio, for a broken taillight. Officer David Roberson ordered Bester out of the car and, despite Bester's compliance, forcibly handcuffed him and deployed a taser, causing a shoulder injury. Bester was charged with resisting arrest, but all charges were dropped after dashboard camera footage contradicted the officer's report. Bester filed a federal civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Roberson, the police department, and the chief, alleging false arrest, excessive force, and a custom of condoning brutality. The case highlighted systemic issues in traffic stop policing and qualified immunity defenses.

In a jury trial concluded in late 2026, the jury found Officer Roberson liable for excessive force and false arrest, awarding Bester $4.2 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The city's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict was denied, and the municipality settled a pattern-of-misconduct claim for an additional $1.8 million without admitting liability.

Whether Officer Roberson had probable cause to arrest and use force; whether the department maintained a policy or custom of deliberate indifference to constitutional violations; and whether qualified immunity shielded the defendants.

The verdict intensified national debates over qualified immunity reform and led the Ohio legislature to pass a bill mandating de-escalation training and restricting pretextual traffic stops. The case became a rallying point for advocacy groups and prompted the Ridgewood Police Department to implement mandatory body cameras and an independent review board.