That's what this jury says, that's a strong finding," he said. King, 16 at the time, said the teens had previously used a coolant container to stop the truck from rolling back. There is no body camera footage of the incident, though the officer had a camera in his possession. Family members have said Brittain had been working on his trucks transmission and had been test driving it when he was pulled over. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. 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. 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. What happened the night Hunter Brittain died? Davis turned himself inon Friday, Sept. 17, after the special prosecuting attorney issued an arrest warrant for manslaughter. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. The law states that records, files and information kept, obtained or retained by the lab are privileged and confidential and that only a defendant, attorney of defendant or prosecuting attorney can be granted access to records pertaining to a defendants criminal case.. Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. According to an affidavit read by Phillips at a press conference, Brittain was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. 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! Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. TIL Sam Kinison was killed by a drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson. Hunter's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology. I'll say I'm not necessarily surprised by that burden," he said. He wont be an officer no more and he cant kill no more kids.. The first witness called to the stand by the prosecution team was 16-year-old Jordan King. 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. Five minutes into Rice's video, someone notes that Brittain is still breathing. Brittain was shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy during a traffic stop on June 23. They have also pushed for state laws that would require officers to have their body cameras on their entire shift. The case attracted attention from national civil rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. 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. While the verdict isn't something they agree with, the Brittain family said they do accept it. A video from Rice, who arrived within minutes of the shooting, shows King on the ground in cuffs as Davis yells. He was my grandson. 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. 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.. He would have faced between three and 10 years in prison for manslaughter, a felony. As they were getting pulled over, King said they were laughing and thought it was funny because the truck was smoking. 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. Its about right and wrong.. 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. 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. During a public memorial for Brittain earlier this week, Rev. 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. 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. "We're glad that we're finally at this point. I dont think he did anything that clearly prejudiced Davis rights in the case.. 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. The sheriff said he respected the jurys decision. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says. The only one who has been accurate on that is Sgt. The family is going to continue to trust the process, Jacob said. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. He said each prosecutors office has to make its own determination on how to handle police shootings. 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 biggest thing about his testimony was that he said he never heard Davis give any verbal cues until after Brittain was shot. 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. 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. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. Chuck. Text messages sent later that day and on June 28 were redacted by the state police agency. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Staley also said the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office does not have dash cameras on its police vehicles. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. They know exactly what they are doing. A Freedom of Information Act request for communication between Graham and the Arkansas State Police shows there was some contact between the two agencies between the time of the shooting and Grahams recusal. Investigators found no firearms in or near the truck. Hunters family is already distrustful because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said. 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. Hunter Brittains family has called for police reform, including an end to qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that shields many police officers from legal action when accused of committing crimes in the court of their duty. Davis, who was originally charged with felony. The white teens death prompted protests in a region of the state not known for speaking out against police violence. Videos from body cameras show moments after deputy fired fatal shot, 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 traffic stop near Cabot. 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. "[It's] going to cost him $15,000 to go home and be with his family, while we're at a loss. Video at arkansasonline.com/mdavis/. (Tommy Metthe/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. The two conflicting narratives were hampered by the fact that Davis body camera was never turned on during the quick encounter. On July 1, over a week after Brittain's death, Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley announced through a Facebook video Thursday that former Sergeant Mike Davis was fired due to policy violations. The civil rights attorneys, who represented George Floyds family after Minneapolis police killed him in May 2020, said: Hunter deserved better. (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. Both are representing Brittains family. But if we segregate how we react, then were wrong.. One bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said. The jury was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions. It's not that this isn't a shocking and tragic. 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. 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. 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. Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriffs office and have complained about the lack of information released. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The case has garnered national attention, as calls for police reform continue around the country in the wake of last summers widespread Black Lives Matter protests. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. If convicted of manslaughter, Davis could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison. As I have said since day one, this was a tragic event and we all need to continue praying for those involved," Staley 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. Davis said he shot Brittain once, after the teen exited his truck and. 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. He's still driving on his way to the scene. 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. Even before the memorial service, Brittains friends and family were calling for change at the state level with petitions urging the Legislature to require officers to wear body cameras that would be turned on as soon as their shift begins. 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. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. A passenger and another witness testified they never heard Davis tell the teen to show his hands. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Rison hit by Wednesday night storm damage, Arkansas state legislators hit the court in Hoops, Growing old and hungry: Shelbys Pantry in Carlisle, Arkansas LEARNS Act passes through House Education, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, AR legislators play in charity basketball game, AR pantry helps to end hunger in elderly community, LEARNS Act passes through House Ed. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. 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. Many attending the memorial wore jeans and shirts that read Justice for Hunter, in a ceremony that included Floyd family attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob. On Friday, the Arkansas State Police released the law enforcement video of the aftermath of the June 23, 2021, shooting death of Hunter Brittain in Lonoke County. When asked what that might include, he said, Not much for the state police. They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. One bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said. 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. If they make the wrong determination, there is a good chance they will not be reelected, he said. It's been nine months of fighting and trying to make their voices heard by many, according to Hundley. Crump questioned Grahams involvement in the case in response to inquiries Wednesday by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. On Sept. 20, Davis was released on a $15,000 bond. "We were a bit surprised about this sentencing, and that they were out in about 20 minutes and came back with a maximum sentence," he said. Relatives say former US Marine killed fighting in, What about Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner left in, Russia frees US Marine vet as part of prisoner exchange, Strike kills 50 at crowded Ukraine rail station, Pink Floyd members reunite and record song for Ukraine, US to send $100M more in military aid to Ukraine, Ukrainian poisonings kill 2 Russian soldiers: officials, NLR Baptist Health opens new critical care unit, Mayflower police make arrest in deadly I-40 shooting, Arkansas State Parks kicks off centennial celebration, Every Child Arkansas bringing change to foster care, AST Blog: Remembering March 1997 tornado outbreak, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. People protesting the killing of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain doing burnouts in the parking lot of the Lonoke County sheriff's office. "I was not happy. Graham said hes sent the file to the state prosecutor coordinator since hes requested a special prosecutor to handle the case. Highway Patrol trooper on leave after fatal Morton County shooting. 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. Hopefully, Hunter and his untimely death will finish what Hunters brother George Floyd and his death started, Jacob said. 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. Brittain, said the Lonoke County Sheriff 's office does not have dash cameras on its vehicles! Memorial for Brittain earlier this week, Graham said hes sent the file to the stand by the Democrat-Gazette... Responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the ground in cuffs as yells... 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