He's still driving on his way to the scene. Crump questioned Grahams involvement in the case in response to inquiries Wednesday by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. They always seem to have their body cameras off. 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 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. The charge was brought by special prosecutor Jeff Phillips of the 5th Judicial District after Lonoke County prosecutor Chuck Graham recused himself from the case. 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.". It was released after the March 18 closure of a trial in which Davis, 31, was convicted of misdemeanor negligent homicide in the death of the 17-year-old from McRae. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. On Sept. 20, Davis was released on a $15,000 bond. Bodycam footage of an Arkansas deputy responding to the scene after former Sgt. [2] Killing [ edit] The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. Larger agencies might not have the day-to-day contact with individual investigators, which you find in a small prosecutors office, Golden said. But it turned out to just be a jug of antifreeze. At times, prosecutors will recuse themselves and request a special prosecutor for cases involving law enforcement officers because of the relationship between the two bodies. All I wanted from day one is for him to get a felony where he could not be in law enforcement again and carry a weapon. Sadly there is not really anyone who we can point to here in Arkansas who is a quote and quote expert who can talk on this because it is untreaded territory right now. Committee, Families file 100+ complaints against cemetery in, Farmers share their voices at the AR State Capitol, House Education Committee advances Arkansas LEARNS, Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns, Zelensky: There will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. I never touched it, Graham said when asked about the file. 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. Davis turned himself inon Friday, Sept. 17, after the special prosecuting attorney issued an arrest warrant for manslaughter. Kwami Abdul-Bey, legislative/political action chairman for the Jacksonville branch of the NAACP, said the measure would include a position at the Arkansas attorney generals office that would be responsible for investigating police shootings or brutality cases. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Al Sharpton gave a eulogy asking for the public to come together to help push for policing reforms. The biggest thing about his testimony was that he said he never heard Davis give any verbal cues until after Brittain was shot. "We're glad that we're finally at this point. 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. 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. Authorities have released few details about the shooting. 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. attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. On July 1, a little more than a week after the shooting, Chuck Graham, prosecuting attorney for the 23rd Judicial District, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that he planned to file a motion for the assignment of a special prosecutor. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. 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. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory cant publicly release the autopsy report because of Arkansas Code 1212-312, Director Kermit Channell said. Graham said hes sent the file to the state prosecutor coordinator since hes requested a special prosecutor to handle the case. 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. He was my grandson. Davis said he gave commands to Brittain to show his hands that were ignored. 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. Special prosecutors, who dont have connections to the police agency, are then appointed by the Arkansas prosecutor coordinator, Bob McMahan. 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. Brittain was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop . Al Sharpton, left, and attorney Benjamin Crump, right, escort Rebecca Payne to view her grandson's casket during the funeral service for 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Beebe High Schools Auditorium in Beebe, Ark. 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.. Hopefully, Hunter and his untimely death will finish what Hunters brother George Floyd and his death started, Jacob said. Rice's camera moves at about 19 minutes into his video, and Brittain is no longer on the ground. The vehicle was smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have said. The family's attorney, Devon Jacob said they aren't going to focus on the charges, but rather look at the meaning behind the jury's decision. When Brittain was about to remove his hands from the back of the truck, Davis said he shot once before he could see what Brittain was holding. 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. 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. 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. His attorney, Newcomb, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. Every state, every locality, is different, Marque Heydari said. 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. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. According to his family members, he went to place a large blue plastic bottle. 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. Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. The prosecution team explaining that Davis "recklessly" shot Brittain who was unarmed and not dangerous, whereas the defense team, emphasized on the fact that in that moment Davis felt like his life was threatened. Video at arkansasonline.com/mdavis/. (AP) The Rev. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. Highway Patrol trooper on leave after fatal Morton County shooting. Hey, ever wounder what happened at the end of that case?? (AP) The results of the investigation into a Lonoke County deputys deadly shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a traffic stop have been handed over to prosecutors. Davis and King have said that Brittain jumped out of the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis. 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. An investigator with the Arkansas State Police was called to the stand after. Rice's video also starts right before "shots fired" transmits across his radio. Are people going to have to fear for their lives again? she told reporters. 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. 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. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. 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. Davis, Newcomb said. It makes you concerned that they are looking for a weapon. Newcomb said he isnt concerned by Grahams involvement with investigators. 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. Wendy Lindsey, Hunters cousin, said in an interview shortly after the announcement on Friday that she was happy at least something was done. But she added that she didnt think the manslaughter charge for Davis was enough. 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. One officer was convicted of murder in Floyds death. After a few minutes, he can be heard crying. Davis, who was originally charged with felony manslaughter, fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night. No matter which side you looked at, it was a difficult week for everyone. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. Davis said he could not see the 17-year-old's hands before shooting. Crump and Jacob have been involved in high-profile homicide cases that include those of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery. A cop shot and killed Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to grab an antifreeze jug from his car. They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. 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. "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. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Neither Brittains nor Davis attorneys are supportive of Grahams decision to withhold body-camera footage. This is something, Jesse Brittain, the boys uncle, told CBS News. Crump and Jacob also represented the family of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died May 25, 2020, while in police custody in Minneapolis. Staley said the only footage police have is from the aftermath. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says, Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Chuck. Text messages sent later that day and on June 28 were redacted by the state police agency. The Lonoke Co. sheriff said he supports the public release of body cam video in the fatal shooting of Hunter Brittain when the "State Police investigation allow it." More Videos Next up in 5 It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Davis said mentioned several things that led to him firing his gun. It's been nine months of fighting and trying to make their voices heard by many, according to Hundley. 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. One bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said. Davis then moves to sit in another vehicle by himself. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 300 hours of community service. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. 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. In Arkansas, law enforcement agencies typically investigate cases while prosecutors make the decision on whether criminal charges will be filed. 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. 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. 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 Sheriff's Office. Jury deliberations lasted less than three hours. 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. 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, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Davis retained Arkansas attorney Robert Newcomb after being fired for what Sheriff John Staley described as a policy violation for failure to turn on his body camera in a timely manner. Crump and Jacob invoked other people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was fatally shot during a botched police raid. Staley also said the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office does not have dash cameras on its police vehicles. 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. I didnt hear it and it happened so fast.. 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. Brittain was shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy during a traffic stop on June 23. The jury was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions. "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. The sheriff said he respected the jurys decision. 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. 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 family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob and Benjamin Crump to represent them in the case. Brttain went to the bed to get something(transmission fluid / anti-freeze) for the truck. the officer fired 1 shot killing the teen. The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware of, Newcomb said. On June 23, 2021, 17-year-old Hunter Brittain was test driving his truck after making repairs early in the morning when he was pulled over by former Lonoke County Sgt. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. 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. Now whats going to happen? A family photo of Hunter Brittain, a 17-year-old boy from Arkansas who was shot during a traffic stop, when an officer saw him reaching for a jug in the back of his truck. 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. "It's going to be hard, it's been hard, it's been hard since June," he said. While the verdict isn't something they agree with, the Brittain family said they do accept it. If there is a conflict of interest that exists and you are aware of that conflict of interest and you participate then it certainly would appear to the public that there is a hint of impropriety, Crump said. According to family members, Brittain had been working on the vehicles transmission and was taking a test drive when he was stopped by Davis. During his instruction it states that you must tell the subject you are going to shoot them before "if possible." 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. Hunters family is already distrustful because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said. Jordan King told police that the two had been working on the truck's transmission all night and were test driving it. The document says what it says, Jacob said. The jurys decision is a declaration that an Arkansas law enforcement officer, in full uniform, unlawfully killed Hunter Brittain, the attorneys said. After a short break, open arguments started around 2:30 p.m. 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. 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. We'll never have Hunter standing with us again.". Michael Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain has been released. There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the coroners report. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. 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