It was unclear what impact Sharptons and the attorneys calls for action would have in Lonoke County, a rural county of 73,000 people that is 90% white. In their closing arguments, the defense highlighted Davis' character and how he became a police officer to help people, not hurt people. Hunters family is already distrustful because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said. In July, Phillips, a prosecutor from a district on the other side of the state, was assigned to handle the case. Now whats going to happen? Davis,. Weeks later the investigative file was sent to his office, and the state polices denial regarding the release of body-camera footage related to the shooting cited Grahams opinion on the issue. Davis, Newcomb said. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. The Arkansas State Police on Friday released body camera footage showing the moments after former Lonoke County sheriff's Deputy Michael Davis fatally shot Hunter Brittain during an early morning traffic stop June 23. The family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob and Benjamin Crump to represent them in the case. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Once we have the autopsy report, we will know more.. ", Davis then starts yelling at a passenger, Jordan King, "What are y'all driving the vehicle like that?". Its time they start letting us know something., Community members also rallied behind the Brittain family, demanding Justice for Hunter.. Call if you have any questions. Graham sent a text the next day to an unknown person in the police agency saying, Ive got you in my phone, call me anytime. Due to that failure, I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the sheriff said in a video statement on Facebook. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. After a short break, open arguments started around 2:30 p.m. Because of the great public interest in this case, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has made the video available, but with two alterations: The view of the victims body has been blurred by our staff out of sensitivity, and the video, which is nearly 19 minutes long, has been shortened to about 15 1/2 minutes to eliminate portions that had no audio or meaningful video. Rebecca Payne, Brittains grandmother, said family members wanted the deputy convicted of the felony to ensure he could not serve as an officer again. When Brittain was shot, Davis said that's when he saw a container in Brittain's hands that fell to the ground. Crump previously released a statement that Brittain was shot three times by Lonoke County sheriffs Sgt. Crump and Jacob have been involved in high-profile homicide cases that include those of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery. Davis told authorities he gave "several commands" to Brittain to get back in his car and to show his hands as Brittain reached with both hands into the bed of the truck when he fired his weapon. Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, his uncle Jesse said at his eulogy. King was in the car with Brittain in the early morning hours of June 23, 2021. A key piece to the kit involves prosecutors clearly outlining decisions for the public. TIL Sam Kinison was killed by a drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson. The coroners report does not specify how many times Brittain was shot but does list the immediate cause/manner of death as gunshot wound of neck and arm. The firearm was listed as a police-issued, semi-automatic pistol. It's a case that's gained national attention and one that has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. We acknowledge that is going to be much harder in a smaller office. The institute released a tool kit in 2019 to help prosecutors when addressing officer-involved fatalities. Brittains shooting by a Lonoke County sheriffs deputy has drawn the attention of civil rights activists nationally. The report from the Pulaski County coroner said the initial 911 call came in at 3:08 a.m. on June 23 and Brittain was pronounced dead around 3:58 a.m. by an attending physician at Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock. (Photo courtesy of Arkansas State Police). That's when the jury was shown what body camera footage there is in this case, which only shows what happened after Brittain was shot. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. According to the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office, Sergeant Michael Davis initiated the traffic stop at 3 a.m. on June 23. Famed attorney Ben Crump named one of TIME's100 Most Influential People, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in. Ben Crump, who represented Brittains family said: Hunter deserved better.. 27 June 2021 Protesters gathered outside the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office last Wednesday in Lonoke, Arkansas, consisting of friends and family of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was gunned. One bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said. Phillips was passed the investigative file by the coordinating office July 15, according to an email from McMahan. A special prosecutor announced the felony charge against Michael Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office, in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. Suspect in shooting of Springdale woman shot by officer after pointing gun at police, Communication program for people with nonverbal autistm coming to Fort Smith, Heavy rain and storms likely to increase Thursday across Arkansas, Storm warning fatigue | Alerting Arkansas. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. "It was cold-blooded murder by the Lonoke police. I respect the decision of the jury. According to family members, Brittain had been working on the vehicles transmission and was taking a test drive when he was stopped by Davis. He wont be an officer no more and he cant kill no more kids.. The only one who has been accurate on that is Sgt. In an interview with Davis, he said he initiated the traffic stop of Brittain's white GMC truck and heard "the truck's engine rev up and then began to travel southbound in the northbound lane." "We're glad that we're finally at this point. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. (AP) The results of the investigation into a Lonoke County deputy's deadly shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a traffic stop have been handed over to prosecutors. A cop shot and killed Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to grab an antifreeze jug from his car. The family of Mr Brittain, who dreamed of being a NASCAR racing driver, was heartbroken over the shooting and called for full transparency from the sheriffs department. In June, at 3 a.m. on a dark stretch of a highway in rural Arkansas, 17-year-old Hunter Brittain was shot and killed by a sergeant from the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office. Robert Newcomb, Davis' defense attorney, has said Davis believed that he had turned the camera on and didn't realize it wasn't working until after firing the shot that killed Brittain. This is the ideal, Marque Heydari said. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Davis, Newcomb said. On Friday, the Arkansas State Police released the law enforcement video of the aftermath of the June 23, 2021, shooting death of Hunter Brittain in Lonoke County. The prosecution told the jury to look at the evidence--if Davis was able to say, which he testified that he did, "show me your hands" and "get back in the vehicle," then he enough time to tell Brittain, "I am going to shoot you.". Now that the trial has begun, Brittain's Aunt Mary Robertson is praying that that accountability happens in the coming days. Davis and King have said that Brittain jumped out of the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis. Family members said Brittain was grabbing a container that held antifreeze to place behind the trucks wheel, to stop it rolling backward. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. On Nov. 15, former Lonoke County Sgt. One officer was convicted of murder in Floyds death. "There's a lot of wrongful police and I'm not saying all police are bad because I have law enforcement in my family, but it's the ones, like this, that give them bad names and he needs to be held accountable for it," he said. Didn't put the truck in park, nothing," Davis says. Staley on Monday said he welcomed those who want to peacefully protest, but that out-of-state activists could risk inflaming an already difficult situation.. I didnt get into this job to kill people, he said. Davis was originally charged with manslaughter, in a a case that was difficult for everyone involved. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. Attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob, representing Brittains family, criticized the sheriff for not firing Davis over the shooting itself. Newcomb has said Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily and an engine was knocking. According to his family members, he went to place a large blue plastic bottle. Davis attorney, Robert Newcomb, said the report throws doubt on earlier statements from Brittains family members and their attorneys that the teen was shot three times. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. There are no cameras allowed inside the courtroom and that's how it's going to be for the remainder of the week and for the rest of this trial. It also attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders like attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing Brittains family, and has stood alongside them as theyve called for justice. He would have faced between three and 10 years in prison for manslaughter, a felony. The only ones are at the very top and that's so the jury will not be able to hear anything going on outside. The sheriff said he respected the jurys decision. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If convicted of manslaughter, Davis could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison. How much help are American volunteers in Ukraine? Davis said that before he could put his own car in park, Brittain jumped out and moved to the rear of the truck and began reaching into the bed as it slowly rolled backward. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. A former Arkansas deputy was convicted on Friday of negligent homicide and sentenced to a year in jail for shooting an unarmed teenager whose death last year drew the attention of national civil rights leaders. On July 1, over a week after Brittain's death, Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley announced through a Facebook video Thursday that former Sergeant Mike Davis was fired due to policy violations. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory cant publicly release the autopsy report because of Arkansas Code 1212-312, Director Kermit Channell said. Were ready to find out something. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says, Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. It's not that this isn't a shocking and tragic. Jordan King was the passenger in the truck at the time of the shooting and was placed into custody by Davis and another unnamed deputy. The video was first seen by the public during the first day of Davis' trial. Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists such as Sharpton, who said concerns about police tactics arent just limited to the Black community. 1, we dont have situations like this very often, he said. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. Davis attorney, Robert Newcomb, previously told The Daily Beast that Davis feared the worst when Brittain hopped out and reached into the bed of his truck. Michael Davis, a former police sergeant in Arkansas, has been charged with manslaughter for "recklessly" shooting and Hunter Brittain, an unarmed 17-year-old killed during a traffic stop. The case made national headlines and gained the attention of civil-rights activists, including the Rev. The following day on March 18, the jury found Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of Hunter Brittain after 2.5 hours of deliberation. It wont require a recusal, Abdul-Bey said. During his instruction it states that you must tell the subject you are going to shoot them before "if possible." He later died at North Little Rock Hospital. The report said that a sergeant with the Lonoke County sheriffs office who has been identified as Michael Davis conducted a traffic stop at Arkansas 89 and Tower Road when the decedent [Brittain] got out of the vehicle and got something out of the back before moving toward the sergeant, after which the sergeant fired his weapon. Davis told investigators he shot Brittain once in the neck after the teen exited his truck and reached into the bed of the pickup while failing to comply with commands to show his hands, according to the arrest affidavit. After Phillips announcement that a warrant would be issued for Davis arrest on Friday, the courtroom burst into cheers. (AP) The Rev. After another pre-trial hearing on March 14, the trial will officially begin on March 15. Family members have said Brittain had been working on his trucks transmission and had been test driving it when he was pulled over. His attorney, Newcomb, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 300 hours of community service. Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, he said. But if we segregate how we react, then were wrong.. We definitely have been trying to come up with a way, when a citizen dies by law enforcement, for there to be an additional route to investigate that, that doesnt involve any of the agencies that work with the officers, Abdul-Bey said. Arkansas State Police investigated Davis use of deadly force and turned over its findings to Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Phillips, who was named special prosecutor for the case July 12. The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists . The sentence has resulted in mixed emotions from many parties involved, that all had comments after the verdict. While everyone in the makeshift courtroom in Cabot was quiet when they heard the decision, they said a lot to once they exited the doors. Jordan King, Brittains cousin who was in the car with him at the time, said Brittain hopped out with the jug to place it behind the trucks tireswhich is something the teen always did to help stop the old truck. Another witness who was nearby during the shooting said he was at the shop waiting on Brittain and a friend when he heard the gunshots. Chances are you haven't yet heard about 17-year-old Hunter Brittain who, despite being unarmed, was shot dead by police during a traffic stop. He was my grandson. The document says what it says, Jacob said. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. After closing arguments, one juror had to leave for a medical emergency and they had to bring in an alternate juror, with deliberation beginning around 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy in June, died of gunshot wounds in his neck and arm, according to a coroner's report released Wednesday. "We were a bit surprised about this sentencing, and that they were out in about 20 minutes and came back with a maximum sentence," he said. Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by a Lonoke County sheriffs deputy in June, died of gunshot wounds in his neck and arm, according to a coroners report released Wednesday. Are people gonna have to fear for their life again? His death sparked nationwide protests over policing and racial inequality. Brittains death has received national attention in the wake of other fatal shootings involving police. I cant speak to what different offices practice are. On June 24, Graham sent an email to state police special agent Robert Middleton saying, Per our phone conversation, we will not be releasing the body camera video of the recent Officer Involved Shooting in Lonoke County at this time. That is why it is very crucial for prosecutors to be as clear and transparent as they can be. James Golden, a professor of criminal justice at the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, echoed Marque Heydaris comments. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. I was working from home. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Every state, every locality, is different, Marque Heydari said. The people of this county are good, decent people and they, like me, want to see accountability and transparency in this situation, Staley wrote on the offices Facebook page.
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