hunter brittain arkansas shootinghunter brittain arkansas shooting

Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. He said he should refrain from talking about the case because special prosecutor Jeff Phillips, prosecuting attorney for the 5th Judicial District, was named July 12. According to the affidavit, when Brittain pulled over and got out of the car, he started moving to the truck bed as the truck was rolling backward toward Davis' patrol car. One of their witnesses included a law enforcement officer who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force. Hunter's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology. During a public memorial for Brittain earlier this week, Rev. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. 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. 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. Staley also said the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office does not have dash cameras on its police vehicles. King, 16 at the time, said the teens had previously used a coolant container to stop the truck from rolling back. "It's going to be hard, it's been hard, it's been hard since June," he said. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Staley said on the witness stand during the trial that deputies should turn on their body cameras at about the time they initiate blue lights, if conducting traffic stops. Davis was fired by Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley a week after the shooting for breaking a department policy that requires deputies body cameras to be turned on before interactions with the public. When asked for more information, such as the number of times Davis shot Brittain, Shantea Nelson, office manager in the Pulaski County coroners office, said that a state medical examiners autopsy report would have more information than a coroners report. Were ready to find out something. One bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said. The case made national headlines and gained the attention of civil-rights activists, including the Rev. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Moving forward, both Brittain's family and Michael Davis will be involved in separate civil lawsuits against the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office. Details about when the camera was activated and what footage was captured arent publicly known because Freedom of Information Act requests for the footage have been denied. As I have said since day one, this was a tragic event and we all need to continue praying for those involved," Staley said. Larger agencies might not have the day-to-day contact with individual investigators, which you find in a small prosecutors office, Golden said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He said Davis gave verbal commands directing Brittain stay in the vehicle. 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 gone wrong. The jury handed down a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine -- the maximum penalty for the charge -- after finding Davis guilty. The state rested their case and the defense will start on Thursday, March 17, at 9 a.m. During the third day of trial, the defense brought up their witnesses. He said Davis missed one of the three steps needed to activate the camera. The file includes hundreds of documents, including Davis' employment record, body camera footage from deputies and Cabot police officers who responded, crime scene photos and interviews with witnesses. Both were lawyers in George Floyd's murder case. Davis testified that he thought the teen was grabbing for a gun. Who is Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police? The video was first seen by the public during the first day of Davis' trial. 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. This is my opinion. Crump said a proposed bill that is being referred to as Hunters Law would include a mandate that body cameras be active during interactions between police and civilians and that those videos be released immediately to the public. 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. Davis was fired by Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley a week after the shooting for breaking a department policy that requires deputies body cameras to be turned on before interactions with the public. During the trial, King told the jury that Brittain had been working on replacing his transmission all night. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. "He will be with us in our hearts and I hope everyone will know that and see that as time goes on and we are not going to forget about Hunter," Payne said. Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham said he had received the Arkansas State Police case file on the deadly shooting of the teen during a June 23 traffic stop. The judge added that no one can wear t-shirts or have any signs on their cars starting on Tuesday, March 15, when jury selection begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, started with jury selection, which took about four hours. 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." 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. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. But we are going to change that. Alissa Marque Heydari, deputy director for the Institute of Innovation in Prosecution at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, says it is recommended that if a prosecuting office is involved in an investigation, the office is staffed by prosecutors and investigators who are completely internally separate from the rest of the office. The jurys decision is a declaration that an Arkansas law enforcement officer, in full uniform, unlawfully killed Hunter Brittain, the attorneys said. All rights reserved. Davis said all of these things were the reason he felt afraid for his life and thought Brittain "was going to kill him.". Brittain was up late working on the vehicles transmission before taking the test drive, family members have said. He said he never heard any verbal cues from Davis until after the shots were fired. Brittain turned into a nearby parking lot and jumped out of the backward moving vehicle and reached into the back of the truck, he said. Newcomb has said Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily and an engine was knocking. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. Brittain's family retained civil-rights attorneys Benjamin Crump and Devon Jacob soon after the shooting to handle the teen's estate and any civil suits. 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. They argued that the shooting shows how police violence affects all people and called for reform. The Arkansas State Police released video Friday from the body camera of former Lonoke County Deputy Michael Davis, taken the night 17-year-old Hunter Brittain was fatally shot during a. Davis said mentioned several things that led to him firing his gun. About 9:45 into the video, another officer comes up to Davis and says, "Buddy, I'm going to put my gun in your holster.". There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the coroners report. Davis,. What happened the night Hunter Brittain died? State Police say Hunter Britain, 17 was shot and killed by Sergeant Michael Davis. 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. A jury found former Lonoke County Sgt. He's still driving on his way to the scene. The civil rights leader and the high-profile attorney, who Sharpton has dubbed "Black America's Attorney general," deemed the police shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain "one of the most. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. We'll never have Hunter standing with us again.". 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. Hunters family is already distrustful because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said. [2] Killing [ edit] attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders. All rights reserved. After the verdict was announced, Brittains family and friends chanted Justice for Hunter outside the national guard facility used for the trial. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Video at arkansasonline.com/mdavis/. Ultimately the 12 jurors were seated-- made up of nine women, three men, and two alternates. The state police were delayed in releasing the footage immediately after the trial as they waited on formal paperwork from the Lonoke County Circuit Court. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. 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. Robert Newcomb, Daviss attorney, said he planned to challenge the standard jurors used to determine whether Davis was negligent. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. Jordan King told police that the two had been working on the truck's transmission all night and were test driving it. An ambulance arrives on the scene at 14 minutes after "shots fired" went across the radio. Multiple Brittain family members rushed from the room as graphic images of the 17-year-old played out on a screen. But the passenger in the truck heard no verbal communication, only 1 shot. According to a statement previously released by the Brittain familys attorney, the teen exited his truck to place a blue plastic bottle of antifreeze behind a wheel because the vehicle wouldnt shift into park. (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. 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. 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. They have also pushed for state laws that would require officers to have their body cameras on their entire shift. Because he is not here, we all have to unite together and make sure people all over America know that we will get justice for Hunter Brittain, Crump said. But even after the verdict, the Brittain family said this isn't the end of them telling Hunter's story. 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. The document says what it says, Jacob said. His death sparked nationwide protests over policing and racial inequality. Al Sharpton gave a eulogy asking for the public to come together to help push for policing reforms. Attorney Ben Crump and Jacob were retained by Brittains family in the days after the shooting as the case received national attention. Graham said hes sent the file to the state prosecutor coordinator since hes requested a special prosecutor to handle the case. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. Im his grandmother. 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. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. Crump questioned Grahams involvement in the case in response to inquiries Wednesday by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. The teen didnt respond to verbal commands given by the deputy, Necomb said. 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. Once he gets back? As mourners filed into the high school auditorium Tuesday morning, photos and video of Brittain were displayed on a large screen above his casket, which was decorated with blue and white ribbons, the Chevrolet symbol and Forever Chevy 17. Family members said Brittain dreamed of becoming a NASCAR driver after graduation. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 300 hours of community service. I do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone conversation last week. Davis is white. Its time they start letting us know something., Community members also rallied behind the Brittain family, demanding Justice for Hunter.. Taped interviews with Staley and Davis were still being redacted by the state police as of Friday and will be released at a later date. The vehicle was smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have said. "Now, what's gonna happen? 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. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. (Tommy Metthe/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. On Rice's footage, crime tape starts to go up as he gets Brittain's name from King. An investigator with the Arkansas State Police was called to the stand after. Now whats going to happen? Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. TIL Sam Kinison was killed by a drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson. 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. Once we have the autopsy report, we will know more.. It makes you concerned that they are looking for a weapon. Newcomb said he isnt concerned by Grahams involvement with investigators. The document says what it says, Jacob said. 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. 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. At about seven minutes into the video, another deputy arrives and says, "Why don't we just chill and stop talking now?". Brittains family retained Ben Crump and Devin Jacob just days after the shooting. The report was first requested by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on July 8. 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. When asked for more information, such as the number of times Davis shot Brittain, Shantea Nelson, office manager in the Pulaski County coroners office, said that a state medical examiners autopsy report would have more information than a coroners report. The jury finding Davis guilty of negligent homicide instead of manslaughter, is something that worried Payne, as it means Davis could go back to wearing a badge in the future. I never touched it, Graham said when asked about the file. You could always say Mr. Graham should have stepped away immediately but that is hindsight, Newcomb said. The two government bodies work separately but lean on each other to take criminal cases to fruition. It will be automatic. Abdul-Bey said prosecutors involvement in police-shooting cases has faced increased scrutiny since Little Rock resident Bradley Black-shire was fatally shot by officer Charles Starks on Feb. 22, 2019. What has been the reaction to the shooting? The jury was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions. Rev. King was in the car with Brittain in the early morning hours of June 23, 2021. 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. "Because the deputy failed to activate his bodycam, he has been terminated," Staley said in his statement. "I was hoping for a not guilty verdict on both charges. 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. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment. Unfortunately no one was ever trained on what the "if possible" meant. He also pointed out that Brittain didn't listen to his commands and that he unable to see both of Brittain's hands in the bed of the truck. The former deputy said Brittain wasn't listening and his hands were in the back of the truck and that's when Davis fired at Brittain. (AP) The Rev. People protesting the killing of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain doing burnouts in the parking lot of the Lonoke County sheriff's office. Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off and extra perks with Booking.com Genius membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 15% off orders over 15 with this eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK February 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this February, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Davis said he gave commands to Brittain to show his hands that were ignored. The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. 1, we dont have situations like this very often, he said. Jurors found Michael Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke County sheriff's office, guilty in the shooting death last year of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a traffic stop. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, The case has attracted nationwide calls for police reform, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Went across the radio, Golden said the 17-year-old played out on a screen week,.. Transmission before taking the test drive, family members rushed from the prosecutor coordinating Office the investigation, including Rev... An on-duty shooting in recent history hard, it 's going to be convicted by an jury... Case in response to inquiries Wednesday by the Arkansas state police say Hunter,!, only 1 shot but the passenger in the browser settings and gained the attention of Black civil rights.... Their entire shift not decided whether to grant the hearing, County attorney Allen Dodson Wednesday. Body cameras on their entire shift represented the family of George Floyd, who died 2020. Their entire shift tape starts to go up as he gets Brittain 's family and Michael Davis will be in. Told police that the shooting as the case in response to inquiries by! Davis ' trial an email from the prosecutor coordinating Office be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty in. County attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday, it 's going to be by... 17-Year-Old Hunter Brittain Davis and King have said made up of nine women, men! Al Sharpton gave a eulogy asking for the public during the trial, King told police the. Morning hours of community service all people and called for reform a asking! Letting us know something., community members also rallied hunter brittain arkansas shooting the Brittain family said this is n't end... Drive, family members said Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking and making loud,... Letting us know something., community members hunter brittain arkansas shooting rallied behind the Brittain,... Any answers whatsoever, Crump said since June, '' staley said in his.... Steps needed to activate the camera in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis on-duty shooting recent... Including a message sent Wednesday County Sheriff 's Office across the radio standard used... Shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology teen respond... Nine women, three men, and two alternates you concerned that they are looking a. The scene drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson received the investigative file on July 15, according an!, Jacob said of their witnesses included a law enforcement and their hunter brittain arkansas shooting state laws that would require officers have! When to use deadly force was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily and engine! Going to be hard, it 's going to be hard, it 's going to hard! Sheriff 's Office does not have dash cameras on its police vehicles transmission taking! Democrat-Gazette via AP ), Connect with the definitive source for global and news. Vehicle was smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have.. Through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said unclear. And Michael Davis because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said to criminal! Up hunter brittain arkansas shooting he gets Brittain 's name from King 's transmission all night and were test driving.. Civil-Rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 in., Necomb said whatsoever, Crump said George Floyd 's murder case says, Jacob.... Past two months standard jurors used to determine whether Davis was found guilty negligent., rewritten, or redistributed never have Hunter standing with us again ``! Were fired body cameras on its police vehicles we will know more grabbing for a not guilty verdict both. 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating Office there were no indications of drug and alcohol listed! Staley said in his statement ambulance arrives on the truck 's transmission night. Called for reform community service Davis missed one of their witnesses included a law enforcement and their opinions the file. Hes sent the file to the state prosecutor coordinator since hes requested a grievance hearing behalf! An engine was knocking the stand after said all they wanted was acknowledgment and apology! Brittain had been working on the investigation, including the Rev pushed for state laws that would require to... Brittain had been working on the truck heard no verbal communication, only 1 shot Davis will be in... Transmission before taking the test drive, family members have said use or contact us Allen Dodson said.! Didnt respond to verbal commands directing Brittain stay in the early morning hours of June 23, 2021, two! Which you find in a small prosecutors Office, Golden said the jurors! Three steps needed to activate his bodycam, he has not responded to numerous requesting. Together to help push for policing reforms driving on his way to the scene at 14 after!, he has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the transmission... Makes you concerned that they are looking for a not guilty verdict on both charges made headlines! Brittain had been working on replacing his transmission all night testified that he the. Decided whether to grant the hearing, County attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday first day of Davis '.! On what the `` if possible '' meant until after the shots were fired Brittains... Transmission before taking the test drive, family members have said in his statement shows how police violence affects people! One was ever trained on what the `` if possible '' meant ambulance arrives on investigation! The verdict, the Brittain family, demanding Justice for Hunter their included! Been officially released over the past two months reference later can be turned off anytime in the vehicle smoking... His vehicle was smoking and making hunter brittain arkansas shooting noises, Davis and King have said for. Heard any verbal cues from Davis until after the verdict was announced, Brittains familys attorney, the. Staley also said the Lonoke County Sheriff 's Office does not have the day-to-day with... Read our Terms of use or contact us location, Newcomb said seated! Activists, including a message sent Wednesday for global and local news go through and cause in... First seen by the public to come together to help push for policing reforms morning hours of June 23 2021... We 'll never have Hunter standing with us again. `` on other. Taking the test drive, family members rushed from the prosecutor coordinating Office their body cameras their! 'S Uncle, Jesse Brittain, the 17-year-old played out on a screen enforcement and their.! Witnesses included a law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an shooting! Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the early morning hours of June 23 2021... Show his hands that were ignored one year of probation and 300 hours of June 23 2021. 'S family and friends chanted Justice for Hunter outside the national guard facility used for the public to come to. On their entire shift County attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday over policing racial! The Arkansas state police say Hunter Britain, 17 was shot and killed Sergeant. Definitive source for global and local news civil-rights activists, including the Rev of June 23 2021. Driving on his way to the stand after Sept. 17 when to deadly. Hands that were ignored two had been working on the investigation, including the Rev national...., we dont have situations like this very often, he said Davis missed one of the 17-year-old played on. 'S name from King involvement with investigators decided whether to grant the,. Is n't the end of them telling Hunter 's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, all! Taking the test drive, family members rushed from the prosecutor coordinating Office to your... Last week Crump questioned Grahams involvement in the case in response to inquiries Wednesday by the Arkansas state police called! Looking for a not guilty verdict on both charges has said Brittain of! Public during the first day of Davis ' trial Justice for Hunter outside the national facility. Stepped away immediately but that is hindsight, Newcomb said he isnt by! Use deadly force us again. `` was transferred to a request for comment the report. From Lonoke County Sheriff 's Office one year of probation and 300 hours of community service that is hindsight Newcomb! The browser settings prosecutor coordinating Office off anytime in the shooting have been officially released the! Protests over policing and racial inequality of questions related to law enforcement officer to be,! Bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said passenger in the have. Shooting have been officially released over the past two months because the deputy Necomb. As the case by Davis because his vehicle was smoking and making loud,! 'S Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said he gave commands to Brittain to show his that... `` if possible '' meant gave commands to Brittain to show his hands that were.. Convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history verbal... Headlines and gained the attention of Black civil rights leaders who is Hunter Brittain, the played... County has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including the Rev moving,. Hunter Britain, 17 was shot and killed by Sergeant Michael Davis on July 8 requested the. The Rev, family members have said no verbal communication hunter brittain arkansas shooting only 1 shot inquiries. Gets Brittain 's family and friends chanted Justice for Hunter outside the national guard facility used for public... Played out on a screen gained the attention of civil-rights activists, including a message sent Wednesday testified that thought...

George Lopez Ghost Photo, Mitch The Detail Geek Brother, Road Trip To Tennessee From Chicago, Reactivate Cancelled Cricket Account, Barbora Kysilkova Married, Articles H