No. 25-1295October Term 2025Petition Pending
Donovan Moore, et al., Petitioners v. Ashly Romero, as Personal Representative for the Estate of Stephen Romero, Deceased, et al.
This pending case concerns whether police officers Donovan Moore and Kurtz are entitled to qualified immunity in a lawsuit alleging that they used unconstitutional force against Stephen Romero.
Case status
- Current stage
- Petition Pending
- Latest event
- Petition pending
- Decision timing
- No decision timeline until the Court agrees to hear the case.
- What it's about
This pending case concerns whether police officers Donovan Moore and Kurtz are entitled to qualified immunity in a lawsuit alleging that they used unconstitutional force against Stephen Romero. The petition asks the Court to clarify how courts should evaluate several uses of force in one encounter and how body-camera video affects the qualified-immunity analysis at the pleading stage.
Question presented
1. Whether the Sixth Circuit Majority Opinion properly applied Barnes v. Felix by examining all of the circumstances surrounding the Officers’ second round of shots, which in turn justifies denial of this Court’s review? 2. Whether disagreement on application of the “blatantly contradict” video/audio rule warrants Supreme Court review?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit / Petition pending
- Area
Petition for review pending
Briefing
What it's about
Police officers Donovan Moore and Kurtz ask the Supreme Court to review a lawsuit over alleged unconstitutional force against Stephen Romero. The petition asks how courts should assess multiple uses of force in one encounter and weigh body-camera video when considering qualified immunity (a legal protection that can shield officers from damages claims).
Argument
A petition for certiorari (a request that the Supreme Court hear the case) has been filed, but oral argument is not scheduled. The petition asks the Court to clarify how Barnes applies to successive uses of force and to video evidence in qualified-immunity analysis.
Impact
The case could affect police officers and people who sue over alleged excessive force. For example, it could shape whether video can settle factual disputes early in a lawsuit or whether a case moves forward.
What is at stake in Moore v. Romero?
The case asks how courts evaluate multiple uses of police force during one encounter. It also concerns how body-camera video affects early qualified-immunity decisions.
Who could be affected by this police-force case?
Police officers facing damages lawsuits and people alleging unconstitutional force could be affected. The result could influence which cases end early and which continue.
What happens next in Moore v. Romero?
The Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the petition. Watch for an order or an oral-argument scheduling announcement.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology