Andrew Swainson filed a § 1983 claim against the City of Philadelphia. He challenged his 1989 conviction for Stanley Opher’s murder. He spent more than 30 years in prison. Swainson argued police officers fabricated and concealed key evidence. He said they created a false narrative of his flight to Jamaica. They also used a coerced eyewitness and ignored other suspects.
He claimed the City enabled this misconduct. According to Swainson, officials failed to train, supervise, or discipline detectives. That failure, he said, allowed unconstitutional practices to continue.
Swainson retained Michael K. Lynch as an expert in police practices. Lynch worked in law enforcement for over 30 years. In April 2024, he submitted a report. He reviewed police records, lawsuits, and prior wrongful convictions. Lynch found a pattern of misconduct inside the homicide division dating back to the 1970s.
The City and two detectives filed a motion to exclude Lynch’s report and testimony. They called it irrelevant and unreliable.
Law Enforcement Expert Witness
Michael K. Lynch has 32 years of experience in law enforcement. Since 2013, Lynch has been employed by the Camden County Police Department as assistant chief of police (2013-2014), senior policy advisor (2015-2023), and chief of staff (since 2023). As chief of staff, Lynch assists the chief of police in connection with accounting, human resources, procurement, administrative support services, and police records.
Get the full story on challenges to Michael K. Lynch’s expert opinions and testimony with an in-depth Challenge.
Discussion by the Court
Expert Qualifications
The court found that Michael K. Lynch was qualified to testify as an expert on police practices. Lynch worked in law enforcement for 32 years. He served in leadership roles in the Camden City and Camden County Police Departments. He also completed training at Northwestern University’s School of Staff and Command and the West Point Command and Leadership Program. Lynch investigated violent crimes and supervised misconduct cases. He also developed police policies on investigations, supervision, and training. The court ruled his experience met the expert qualification standard.
Reliability of Methods
The court next considered whether Lynch’s opinions were reliable. Because Lynch is not a scientist, the court looked at his experience and methods. Lynch reviewed police files, lawsuits, public records, and media investigations. He relied on his knowledge of minimally accepted police practices, such as avoiding coercion, fabrication, or suppression of evidence. The court rejected the defense’s claim that Lynch relied only on pleadings. It also allowed his use of reports by other experts and the City’s own oversight agencies. The court concluded his opinions rested on a reliable foundation.
Relevance and Fit
The court also ruled on whether Lynch’s testimony would help the jury. The defense argued his report restated Swainson’s version of events. But the court found that Lynch’s summary aligned with the factual record. Lynch outlined how PPD failed to meet basic standards of supervision and discipline. He also addressed misconduct by Detective Santiago and its possible impact on Swainson’s case. The court noted that Lynch’s opinions did not cross into impermissible legal conclusions. Instead, they reflected professional standards in law enforcement. The court found his opinions would assist the jury.
Held
The Court denied the City’s motion to exclude the testimony of Michael K. Lynch.
Key Takeaway:
The court upheld Michael K. Lynch’s qualifications, methods, and relevance as a police practices expert. It ruled that his experience, review of misconduct patterns, and analysis of departmental failures provided reliable, admissible testimony that could assist the jury in evaluating Andrew Swainson’s § 1983 municipal liability claim.
Case Details:
| Case Caption: | Swainson v. City of Philadelphia |
| Docket Number: | 2:22cv2163 |
| Court Name: | United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania |
| Order Date: | July 2, 2025 |
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