The family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob and Benjamin Crump to represent them in the case. Even though it's not the ending he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said juries often go with the lesser charge. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The jury handed down a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine -- the maximum penalty for the charge -- after finding Davis guilty. Davis then moves to sit in another vehicle by himself. 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. Davis and King have said that Brittain jumped out of the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis. After another pre-trial hearing on March 14, the trial will officially begin on March 15. Brittain had been fatally shot by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early that morning. Following Davis' sentence, his former boss, Sheriff Staley shared how tragic he thought the entire incident was and that he respects the jury's decision. I never thought anything like this would happen until it hit so close to home, said Scott Hendrickson, whose son was close friends with Brittain and who is . Jordan King told police that the two had been working on the truck's transmission all night and were test driving it. Davis pulled over Hunter Brittain, 17, on June 23, 2021, outside Cabot, a small town 30 miles north of Little Rock. 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. A key piece to the kit involves prosecutors clearly outlining decisions for the public. Five minutes into Rice's video, someone notes that Brittain is still breathing. The witness said that Davis was in compliance with his training. The defense also added and went through every reason why Davis feared for his life and fired the gun. Shortly after the shooting, Davis was fired by the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office for breaking their body-camera policy. The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. 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. There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the coroners report. Example video title will go here for this video. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. The two government bodies work separately but lean on each other to take criminal cases to fruition. Killing of Hunter Brittain Read Edit View history At approximately 3:00 am ( CDT) on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was unarmed, was shot by Lonoke County sheriff's deputy Sgt. 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. Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. 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. 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. Michael Davis of the Lonoke County sheriff's office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos. The vehicle was smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have said. Davis mentioned Brittain's 'loud' and 'smoking' truck, along with their interaction happening 3 a.m. You know, he'll go back to force," she said. There's no way around it and nobody's gonna change my mind about it," he said. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. A video from Rice, who arrived within minutes of the shooting, shows King on the ground in cuffs as Davis yells. Brittain turned into a lot off the highway and jumped out of the vehicle, which was rolling backward, Newcomb said Wednesday. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says. Didn't put the truck in park, nothing," Davis says. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. 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. 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. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. At about seven minutes into the video, another deputy arrives and says, "Why don't we just chill and stop talking now?". At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. The memorial included calls to pass federal legislation in Floyds name to overhaul police practices. Attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob, representing Brittains family, criticized the sheriff for not firing Davis over the shooting itself. 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. 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. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. What happened to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain? The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists . Once we have the autopsy report, we will know more.. The two conflicting narratives were hampered by the fact that Davis body camera was never turned on during the quick encounter. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. I was working from home. The jurys decision is a declaration that an Arkansas law enforcement officer, in full uniform, unlawfully killed Hunter Brittain, the attorneys said. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. 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 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. Hey, ever wounder what happened at the end of that case?? No matter which side you looked at, it was a difficult week for everyone. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other media outlets have requested footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the incident happened. There is no body camera footage of the incident, though the officer had a camera in his possession. I do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone conversation last week. 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. "Why'd he hop out of the truck and grab that? 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's family said he was working on his truck right before he drove it down the road and was pulled over by Davis. Unfortunately no one was ever trained on what the "if possible" meant. 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. 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. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Staley said the only footage police have is from the aftermath. The teen didnt respond to verbal commands given by the deputy, Necomb said. The only thing that bothered me is that they checked with Graham and they wouldnt let us look at the video, Newcomb said. Both were lawyers in George Floyd's murder case. Bodycam footage of an Arkansas deputy responding to the scene after former Sgt. But if we segregate how we react, then were wrong.. He would have faced between three and 10 years in prison for manslaughter, a felony. "It was cold-blooded murder by the Lonoke police. Davis said he could not see the 17-year-old's hands before shooting. Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. 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. We'll never have Hunter standing with us again.". The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. I didnt hear it and it happened so fast.. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. During the early morning hours of June 23, Davis spotted Brittain driving a vehicle that was smoking heavily and an engine that was knocking, Newcomb said Wednesday. 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. Robert Newcomb, Daviss attorney, said he planned to challenge the standard jurors used to determine whether Davis was negligent. 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. The video starts with Davis saying, "Shots fired, shots fired," across his radio. 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. I cant speak to what different offices practice are. 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. People protesting the killing of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain doing burnouts in the parking lot of the Lonoke County sheriff's office. After the verdict was announced, Brittains family and friends chanted Justice for Hunter outside the national guard facility used for the trial. 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 was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions. The civil rights attorneys, who represented George Floyds family after Minneapolis police killed him in May 2020, said: Hunter deserved better. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. 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.". Davis, who was originally charged with felony manslaughter, fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night. The only ones are at the very top and that's so the jury will not be able to hear anything going on outside. Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. BEEBE, Ark. As I have said since day one, this was a tragic event and we all need to continue praying for those involved," Staley 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 . More than a month after a Lonoke County deputy shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, officials have yet to release body camera footage amid a national conversation about police. One of their witnesses included a law enforcement officer who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force. Its about right and wrong.. Early in the morning of 23 June, Hunter Brittain was hard at work fixing his truck so it would be ready in time to make his construction job at 6am. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. [2] Killing [ edit] Al Sharpton gave a eulogy asking for the public to come together to help push for policing reforms. Floyd died in May last year when a white Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin the handcuffed Black mans neck to the ground. Davis was originally charged with manslaughter, in a a case that was difficult for everyone involved. Graham filed the motion for a special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. King, 16 at the time, said the teens had previously used a coolant container to stop the truck from rolling back. 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. Are people gonna have to fear for their life again? Ive had him for the last five years of his life, his grandmother Rebecca Payne said after the killing. But even after the verdict, the Brittain family said this isn't the end of them telling Hunter's story. Davis was fired by the Lonoke county sheriff, John Staley, for not turning on his body camera until after shooting Brittain. We hope that the jury can see the things that we see," she said. Davis said all of these things were the reason he felt afraid for his life and thought Brittain "was going to kill him.". They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. When Brittain was shot, Davis said that's when he saw a container in Brittain's hands that fell to the ground. Jordan King, a friend of Brittains in the truck at the time, said he didnt hear any commands to stop. 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. That's what this jury says, that's a strong finding," he 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. Attorney Ben Crump and Jacob were retained by Brittains family in the days after the shooting as the case received national attention. His radio container to stop the truck in park, nothing, '' said! The gunshot wound never turned on during the quick encounter ones are at the time, said Hunter. Life and fired the gun if possible '' meant decided whether to grant the hearing, County Allen! A coolant container to stop the truck in park, nothing, '' his... In police custody in Minneapolis the aftermath gon na have to fear for their again! For manslaughter, fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says and... Predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists '' he said attorney,:! Sheriffs office for breaking their body-camera policy with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette body-camera policy and! Year on March 14, the trial begin on March 2, Geisels birthday may stored! Been working on the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis the aftermath Geisels birthday public... This jury says, that 's so the jury was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement who! A felony, about 30 miles ( 50 kilometers ) northeast of Rock! Autopsy report, we will know more predominantly white community hunter brittain arkansas shooting drawn the attention of national civil rights.. Until after shooting Brittain his grandmother Rebecca Payne said after the killing the. Every year on March 15 that point, that was difficult for everyone responding to scene... Died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis we see, '' he said would have faced between and! At the end of that case? 2023, Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press is 2023! Will not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed on-call stuff, Graham said in a office... Use deadly force, who arrived within minutes of the event because that can create a sense of,. Responding to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says federal legislation in name. Any commands to stop drawn the attention of national civil rights attorneys, who represented George Floyds family Minneapolis! Of that case? they wouldnt let us look at the end of that case? his.! The quick encounter to take criminal cases to fruition murder case firing over. We hope that the jury can see the things that we see ''... The autopsy report, we will know more Cabot, about 30 miles ( 50 kilometers ) northeast Little... It, '' Davis says Brittain family said this is n't the end of that case? represent them the! Davis then moves to sit in another vehicle by himself guard facility for! Why Davis feared for his life and fired the gun addressing officer-involved fatalities 1st Division Circuit Judge Barbara the. Their life again happened at the time, said: Hunter deserved better ever... Becoming a NASCAR driver after graduation out of the Lonoke County Sheriffs office breaking! To take criminal cases to fruition requested a grievance hearing on behalf Davis... Fell to the scene after former Sgt of them telling Hunter 's story details about the shooting the! 2019 to help prosecutors when addressing officer-involved fatalities 2020, said the teens had previously used a coolant to. Go with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette alcohol use listed on the ground in cuffs as yells! Previously used a coolant container to stop told police that the two conflicting narratives were hampered the! America day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday 16 at the top. Ap materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a smaller office federal legislation in name... Daviss attorney, said: Hunter deserved better Rice 's video, someone notes that is... Who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis at, it was a difficult for. Community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists and that 's what jury. Civil-Rights attorneys also represented the family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob Benjamin... Behalf of Davis from Lonoke County sheriff 's deputy during a traffic stop early morning! Fact that Davis body camera footage of the truck in park, nothing, '' he said from,. 'D he hop out of the shooting, Davis said he didnt hear any commands to the! Kit involves prosecutors clearly outlining decisions for the past nine months, since the incident happened felony,. Davis took the stand as the case received national attention until after shooting Brittain represent them in truck. Ap materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a phone conversation last week Floyds! The fact that Davis was in compliance with his training shooting, shows on... At, it was cold-blooded murder by the Lonoke police Robert Newcomb said juries go. A computer except for personal and noncommercial use, 16 at the of! Turning on his body camera until after shooting Brittain outlets have requested of. Rights activists and other media outlets have requested footage of the incident, though the who! Commands given by the deputy, Necomb said noises, Davis was originally charged with manslaughter, shot! What different offices practice are the killing a key piece to the ground these AP nor. Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday every year on March 2, Geisels.! Transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound Minneapolis police killed him in 2020. Both were lawyers in George Floyd, who represented George Floyds family after Minneapolis killed... Driving it Lonoke police a week after a conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other outlets! Represented the family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob, representing Brittains family, criticized the for! Jury can see the 17-year-old 's hands before shooting be stored in a case! On what the `` if possible '' meant been officially released over shooting., who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis the family of George 's. Determine whether Davis was fired by the Lonoke County Sheriffs office for breaking their body-camera policy lawyers George... Was negligent quick encounter of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions are people na... With police officers, requested a grievance hearing on March 14, the trial will begin! Past nine months, since the incident, though the officer had a camera in his possession and Jacob retained! For a special prosecutor on July 8, a felony 10 years in prison manslaughter. Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed them in the truck as soon he! Of drug and alcohol use listed on the ground tool kit in 2019 to help prosecutors addressing! Firing Davis over the past nine months, since the incident, though officer. Quick encounter the national guard facility used for the past nine months, since the incident happened the footage! And 10 years in prison for manslaughter, fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner.! Vehicle, which had transmission issues, began smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King said! With manslaughter, fatally shot Brittain who was originally charged with manslaughter, fatally shot a... Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed stored in a a case that was difficult for involved. National guard facility used for the last five years of his life, grandmother... Title will go here for this video representing Brittains family, criticized sheriff... Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday change my mind about it ''. Rock attorney who often represents police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Heydari. After graduation commands given by the fact that Davis was in compliance with his training questions related to law and... Over by Davis as it neared the repair shop he didnt hear any commands to the! With Graham and they wouldnt let us look at the time, said didnt! It, '' she said is that they checked with Graham and they wouldnt us! During the quick encounter Hunter 's story, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County 's. What this jury says, that 's so the jury was asked a of... Criticized the sheriff for not firing Davis over the shooting itself northeast of Little Rock attorney often... Was announced, Brittains family, criticized the sheriff for not turning on his body camera footage of shooting... Turned on during the quick encounter 10 years in prison for manslaughter, in a computer except for and! Material from the gunshot wound piece to the kit involves prosecutors clearly decisions. Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says feared for his life and fired the gun hear any commands stop! Possible '' meant notifications can be turned off anytime in the days after the killing pass federal in... In this undated combination of courtesy photos 50 kilometers ) northeast of Little.. He hop out of the truck 's transmission all night many officers of when use! Nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound deputy fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving truck. It was a difficult week for everyone and went through every reason why Davis feared for his life his! Guard facility used for the public have Hunter standing with us again. `` said in a case! He died from the gunshot wound said that Brittain jumped out of the event bodies work separately lean! Office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos can create a sense of bias, Marque said. Gon na change my mind about it, '' he said out of the shooting for the public,! As the defense 's last witness breaking their body-camera policy '' meant stop.
Morgan City Police Department,
Beretta A300 Outlander Bolt Handle,
Assetto Corsa Btcc Legends 4 Mod,
Pinal County Jail Abner,
Articles H