Post your articles here so that everyone will have a chance to see our government at work (or showing their lack thereof) taking their own to task! The passenger in Brittains truck said he and the teen had been working on the pickups transmission. 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. Attorney Ben Crump and Jacob were retained by Brittains family in the days after the shooting as the case received national attention. King responds that the truck wouldn't shift into park. Davis was fired from the Lonoke County sheriff's office on July 1 after Sheriff John Staley said Davis violated policy by not turning on his camera prior to encountering Brittain. We hope that the jury can see the things that we see," she said. I do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone conversation last week. One of their witnesses included a law enforcement officer who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force. Michael Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain has been released. BEEBE, Ark. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. 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. The first witness called to the stand by the prosecution team was 16-year-old Jordan King. Al Sharpton and attorneys for George Floyds family on Tuesday mourned a white Arkansas teenager fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy, as they urged support across racial lines for efforts to reform police practices. Highway Patrol trooper on leave after fatal Morton County shooting. 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. Al Sharpton gave a eulogy asking for the public to come together to help push for policing reforms. What has been the reaction to the shooting? Its about right and wrong.. Al Sharpton, who spoke at Brittain's funeral July 6 at Beebe High School, where the teen attended school. Neither Brittains nor Davis attorneys are supportive of Grahams decision to withhold body-camera footage. You know, he'll go back to force," she said. 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 after Brittain exited his truck to put a blue plastic bottle of antifreeze behind a wheel because the vehicle wouldnt shift into park. They always seem to have their body cameras off. The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware of, Newcomb said. I dont want to jeopardize this case, its too important, he said. 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. People protesting the killing of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain doing burnouts in the parking lot of the Lonoke County sheriff's office. I dont think he did anything that clearly prejudiced Davis rights in the case.. What happened to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain? 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 jury handed down a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine -- the maximum penalty for the charge -- after finding Davis guilty. 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. 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 testified that he thought the teen was grabbing for a gun. I was working from home. Now that the trial has begun, Brittain's Aunt Mary Robertson is praying that that accountability happens in the coming days. His press conference on Friday was brief and he refused to take questions. [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. The trial is taking place at the Cabot Readiness Center, where it was moved from the Lonoke County courthouse, mainly due to the fact that there are not a lot of windows inside the courtroom. I respect the decision of the jury. I just said that he was a good guy that made a really horrible decision and choice and so that makes it even worse," Prosecuting attorney, Jeff Phillips said. Brittain's family said he was working on his truck right before he drove it down the road and was pulled over by Davis. Hes currently being held in an undisclosed jail, after being booked in Lonoke County. Brittain was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. Every state, every locality, is different, Marque Heydari said. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. 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.". The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. Jesse Brittain, Hunters uncle, received a standing ovation when he called for an end to qualified immunity for police officers, a legal doctrine that frequently shields them from civil lawsuits for things they do in the course of their job. 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. "I don't think it's fair. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. 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. Davis claimed he didn't realize he didn't turn on his body camera until after the shots were fired. The Lonoke County prosecutors office had contact with the Arkansas State Police before and after recusing itself because of an unavoidable conflict in the investigation into the fatal shooting June 23 of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain by a sheriffs deputy. King was in the car with Brittain in the early morning hours of June 23, 2021. Hunter's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology. He claimed in documents filed in Lonoke County Circuit Court that Davis has had a very close working relationship with most members of the prosecutors office and has recently testified for the state in at least one jury trial. The motion was granted by 1st Division Circuit Judge Barbara Elmore the same day. 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. On July 1, hours after Graham told the Democrat-Gazette that he planned to recuse himself, someone with the state police texted, Time for a call? Graham responded, Yes sir, anytime. Last week, Graham said it took time to figure out if he was going to recuse from the case. 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. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriffs deputy, Sgt. You could always say Mr. Graham should have stepped away immediately but that is hindsight, Newcomb said. Special prosecutors, who dont have connections to the police agency, are then appointed by the Arkansas prosecutor coordinator, Bob McMahan. Davis claimed in that interview that he shouted at Brittain to "show me our hands." While the verdict isn't something they agree with, the Brittain family said they do accept it. Family and friends of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, including his uncle, Harley Brittain (left), hold a rally outside the Lonoke County sheriff's office in Lonoke in this June 23, 2021, file. Brittain was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop . Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. Didn't put the truck in park, nothing," Davis says. The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists . Unfortunately no one was ever trained on what the "if possible" meant. In an interview with investigators, 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. Jury deliberations lasted less than three hours. On Sept. 20, Davis was released on a $15,000 bond. Who is Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police? On Nov. 15, former Lonoke County Sgt. 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. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. Davis, who was originally charged with felony manslaughter, fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night. Due to that failure, I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the sheriff said in a video statement on Facebook. Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. An ambulance arrives on the scene at 14 minutes after "shots fired" went across the radio. 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. 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. He also got emotional multiple times during his testimony. Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley last week fired Davis for not turning on his body camera until after he had shot Brittain. 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. 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.". Graham filed the motion for a special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She said that is easier for larger prosecuting offices to implement. The biggest thing about his testimony was that he said he never heard Davis give any verbal cues until after Brittain was shot. 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. If convicted, he could face three to 10 years in prison. Staley noted this was a department policy violation and used that as justification for Davis being fired. Davis shot Brittain once while Brittain's hands were still in the truck bed, according to Davis' statement to state police investigators and his testimony while on the stand. Closing arguments lasted a little over an hour. After a short break, open arguments started around 2:30 p.m. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. Davis turned himself inon Friday, Sept. 17, after the special prosecuting attorney issued an arrest warrant for manslaughter. Davis was sentenced to 1-year in jail plus a $1,000 fine. Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. The email went on to state, Chuck Graham, Lonoke Prosecuting Attorney, has further opposed the release of the body camera footage related to this incident at this time. When asked by the Democrat-Gazette, Graham confirmed that he continued to communicate with the state police agency up until filing his recusal. 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. That's what this jury says, that's a strong finding," he said. His attorney, Newcomb, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. The young man jumped out and ran to the back of the car and stuck his hands into the back of the vehicle and still wasnt responding to any verbal commands, Newcomb said. I didn't say he was a mean guy. Crump and Jacob have been involved in high-profile homicide cases that include those of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery. There's no way around it and nobody's gonna change my mind about it," he said. 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. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says. "Now, what's gonna happen? Family members have said Brittain had been working on his trucks transmission and had been test driving it when he was pulled over. 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. (Tommy Metthe/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Im not sure we could set a policy at the national level that could cover all circumstances. Prosecutors are held accountable by elections, Golden said. 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. When Brittain was shot, Davis said that's when he saw a container in Brittain's hands that fell to the ground. Press J to jump to the feed. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. During the trial, King told the jury that Brittain had been working on replacing his transmission all night. According to family members, Brittain had been working on the vehicles transmission and was taking a test drive when he was stopped by Davis. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other media outlets have requested footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the incident happened. 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. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Davis has been with the Sheriff's Office since 2013. A jury found former Lonoke County Sgt. Rev. The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Sharpton told a packed auditorium at Beebe High School, where Brittain was a rising senior. The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Reverend Al Sharpton said at a eulogy for Mr Brittain. The investigation of the shooting was quickly turned over to the Arkansas State Police. A medical examiner from the Arkansas State Crime lab that confirmed Brittain was shot in the neck, was also called to the stand on Wednesday. That's all I asked for," Rebecca Payne, Brittain's grandma, said. ", Davis then starts yelling at a passenger, Jordan King, "What are y'all driving the vehicle like that?". 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. The Lonoke County sheriff's deputy opened fire on Hunter Britain, 17, after he. "Because the deputy failed to activate his bodycam, he has been terminated," Staley said in his statement. The report was first requested by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on July 8. "I didn't say that this defendant was a bad guy. Jurors acquitted Michael Davis of manslaughter while finding him guilty of the misdemeanor charge in the death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a June traffic stop outside Cabot, a city of about 26,000 people roughly 30 miles north-east of Little Rock. Jordan King told police that the two had been working on the truck's transmission all night and were test driving it. Rebecca Payne, Brittains grandmother, said family members wanted the deputy convicted of the felony to ensure he could not serve as an officer again. Ultimately the 12 jurors were seated-- made up of nine women, three men, and two alternates. King said he never heard any commands from Davis before the gunshot. 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. 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. 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. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, A memorial for Hunter Brittain in Beebe, Arkansas last year. No. 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. 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. Often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke.... 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