Allegations:
The plaintiffs, a husband and wife, were headed home after visiting with their daughter. Claxton, the husband, worked in security for a construction company. He lived with Skipper, his wife, in the buildings that were under construction to keep an eye on them. The plaintiffs had a security code to enter the building they were assigned to live in the night they were walking home. As the couple neared the entrance, a squad car drove onto the curb of the sidewalk, blocking their path. Officers Ryan and Adcock ordered Claxton to put his hands on the hood of the squad car and to show them identification. Claxton did as he was told and then asked why he was being arrested. An officer answered using a racial slur. As Claxton was being handcuffed, the other officer stood near Skipper. When she asked why her husband was being arrested, the officer said, “Get your crack head ass away.” Skipper moved away from the squad car and decided to go into the building. As she walked away, an officer followed her and hit her with a flashlight or similar object, knocking her to the ground. The officers then put Claxton into their squad car headfirst and drove him around the corner to a nearby alley. An officer told Claxton he had a "smart mouth" before one or more officers began to beat him with batons until he blacked out. When Claxton regained consciousness, he was handcuffed to a wall in a police station holding cell. He asked for medical help and was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for severe head injuries and abrasions. As Claxton received medical treatment, officers stayed in or near his room in a threatening manner. When Claxton was released from custody at the hospital, he was charged with drinking alcohol on a public sidewalk.