As I have said since day one, this was a tragic event and we all need to continue praying for those involved," Staley said. btw before the traffic stop, the officer turned off his body-cam, then turned it on after the shooting which is against department policy. 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. 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. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. King responds that the truck wouldn't shift into park. Hes currently being held in an undisclosed jail, after being booked in Lonoke County. He took a life.. Michael Davis of the Lonoke County sheriff's office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. I'll say I'm not necessarily surprised by that burden," he said. 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 originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. 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. Hey, ever wounder what happened at the end of that case?? 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! 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. 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. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. "I don't think it's fair. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. 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. I didn't say he was a mean guy. The video was first seen by the public during the first day of Davis' trial. Brittain was shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy during a traffic stop on June 23. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriffs deputy, Sgt. According to family members, Brittain had been working on the vehicles transmission and was taking a test drive when he was stopped by Davis. "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. 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. Both are representing Brittains family. But if we segregate how we react, then were wrong.. Davis, Newcomb said. "We're glad that we're finally at this point. "Although Mr. Davis no longer works for my office, Ive been following this case closely. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, he said. A jury found former Lonoke County Sgt. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. TIL Sam Kinison was killed by a drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. After closing arguments, one juror had to leave for a medical emergency and they had to bring in an alternate juror, with deliberation beginning around 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. Brittains family has said the teenager was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when he was shot. Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. The maximum jail term faced by Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke county sheriffs office, was one year. Got a tip? Ben Crump, who represented Brittains family said: Hunter deserved better.. Davis said he could not see the 17-year-old's hands before shooting. "Because the deputy failed to activate his bodycam, he has been terminated," Staley said in his statement. 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. They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. Davis, Newcomb said. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. And also justice for all of our other brothers and sisters dying at the hands of law enforcement hired to protect and serve us around this country.. "What the jury said is that a law enforcement officer in uniform committed a crime, and the jury has said that Hunter Brittain was unlawfully killed by Michael Davis. 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. I never expected anything like what happened, especially not just a country boy working on his truck and taking it for a test drive, she said. The last witness called in by prosecution was Davis' former boss, Sheriff John Staley, who told the jury that Davis had issues with turning on his body camera in the past. And also justice for all of our other brothers and sisters dying at the hands of law enforcement hired to protect and serve us around this country.. The sheriff said he respected the jurys decision. 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. What has been the reaction to the shooting? The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware of, Newcomb said. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. The sentence has resulted in mixed emotions from many parties involved, that all had comments after the verdict. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe). 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 only ones are at the very top and that's so the jury will not be able to hear anything going on outside. After a few minutes, he can be heard crying. After the verdict was announced, Brittains family and friends chanted Justice for Hunter outside the national guard facility used for the trial. 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. They argued that the shooting shows how police violence affects all people and called for reform. One of their witnesses included a law enforcement officer who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force. Sheriff John Staley said that Davis had not turned on his body camera at the start of the traffic stop and only activated the device after the shooting had happened. 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. People protesting the killing of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain doing burnouts in the parking lot of the Lonoke County sheriff's office. 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. Video at arkansasonline.com/mdavis/. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob, representing Brittains family, criticized the sheriff for not firing Davis over the shooting itself. 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. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. Once it happened to my sons best friend, I said it could happen to my son so it was too close to home to not do anything about it., Dozens of people gathered outside the sheriffs office after the memorial service for a rally with Brittains family, attorneys and the NAACP. 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. It's a case that's gained national attention and one that has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. I think its murder, she said. 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. No. He said Davis missed one of the three steps needed to activate the camera. 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. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. In July, Phillips, a prosecutor from a district on the other side of the state, was assigned to handle the case. 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. They added that cops are taught "hands kill" and if you can't see the persons hands, it could be a problem. Brittain's family said he was working on his truck right before he drove it down the road and was pulled over by Davis. 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. In their closing arguments, the defense highlighted Davis' character and how he became a police officer to help people, not hurt people. Pierson pled guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. The jury handed down a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine -- the maximum penalty for the charge -- after finding Davis guilty. Rice's video also starts right before "shots fired" transmits across his radio. 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. Investigators found no firearms in or near the truck. If convicted, he could face three to 10 years in prison. Mike Davis plead not guilty to felony manslaughter in the death of Hunter Brittain. Crump, in a statement, said the charges were the first step in the pursuit of justice for Brittain, adding that his shooting was the latest example of law enforcement shooting first and asking questions later.. Heres what you need to know. Brittain was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop . I was working from home. 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. Melissia McMahan, who is the Brittain familys mail carrier and knew the teen since he was a toddler, said she had thought about the need for police reform before Brittains death but hadnt thought it was something her own community would face. A passenger and another witness testified they never heard Davis tell the teen to show his hands. Its about right and wrong.. The jury learned the character of Davis about how he is a volunteer firefighter, a father, and has a child on the way. 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. 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. 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. Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, his uncle Jesse said at his eulogy. 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. 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. But it turned out to just be a jug of antifreeze. Rebecca Payne, Brittains grandmother, said family members wanted the deputy convicted of the felony to ensure he could not serve as an officer again. 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. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. 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. An ambulance arrives on the scene at 14 minutes after "shots fired" went across the radio. Hopefully, Hunter and his untimely death will finish what Hunters brother George Floyd and his death started, Jacob said. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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 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. 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. (AP) The Rev. They think that it is not appropriate for anybody who has a conflict of interest to weigh in and deny them due process of a fair and impartial and completely independent investigation as to what happened to their child. Newcomb said he wasnt concerned with the file being passed to Graham. The following day on March 18, the jury found Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of Hunter Brittain after 2.5 hours of deliberation. Even though it's not the ending he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said juries often go with the lesser charge. 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. The report was first requested by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on July 8. 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