Staley noted this was a department policy violation and used that as justification for Davis being fired. My nephew, Hunter, is laying in a grave or refrigeration and this man is going to get to go home," he said. 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of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Well, wonder no more! Weeks later the investigative file was sent to his office, and the state polices denial regarding the release of body-camera footage related to the shooting cited Grahams opinion on the issue. "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. Authorities have released few details about the shooting. "Because the deputy failed to activate his bodycam, he has been terminated," Staley said in his statement. Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriffs deputy, Sgt. But the passenger in the truck heard no verbal communication, only 1 shot. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. The Brittain family is being represented by Ben Crump, the same civil rights lawyer who represented George Floyd, a Black man murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer last summer. The memorial included calls to pass federal legislation in Floyds name to overhaul police practices. 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. The report was first requested by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on July 8. 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. Pierson pled guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. That's what this jury says, that's a strong finding," he said. 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. Michael Davis near Cabot, Arkansas, United States. The teen didnt respond to verbal commands given by the deputy, Necomb said. Hes currently being held in an undisclosed jail, after being booked in Lonoke County. But it turned out to just be a jug of antifreeze. Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other media outlets have requested footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the incident happened. It's not that this isn't a shocking and tragic. 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 said all of these things were the reason he felt afraid for his life and thought Brittain "was going to kill him.". There's no way around it and nobody's gonna change my mind about it," he said. Davis was sentenced to 1-year in jail plus a $1,000 fine. 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. I didnt get into this job to kill people, he said. As they were getting pulled over, King said they were laughing and thought it was funny because the truck was smoking. 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. 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. The jury learned the character of Davis about how he is a volunteer firefighter, a father, and has a child on the way. 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. Once we have the autopsy report, we will know more.. They argued that the shooting shows how police violence affects all people and called for reform. 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. Hunter did nothing wrong, just like we felt George Floyd did nothing wrong, Sharpton told reporters before the memorial. They added that cops are taught "hands kill" and if you can't see the persons hands, it could be a problem. On Rice's footage, crime tape starts to go up as he gets Brittain's name from King. Suspect in shooting of Springdale woman shot by officer after pointing gun at police, Communication program for people with nonverbal autistm coming to Fort Smith, Heavy rain and storms likely to increase Thursday across Arkansas, Storm warning fatigue | Alerting Arkansas. 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.. Davis, Newcomb said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I never touched it, Graham said when asked about the file. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. "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. Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, he said. 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. After a few minutes, he can be heard crying. During his instruction it states that you must tell the subject you are going to shoot them before "if possible." 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. It was emotional for witnesses and Brittain's family, many of them had to step out of the courtroom. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Crump previously released a statement that Brittain was shot three times by Lonoke County sheriffs Sgt. In their closing arguments, the defense highlighted Davis' character and how he became a police officer to help people, not hurt people. "Now, what's gonna happen? Staley said the only footage police have is from the aftermath. 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. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. 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. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. 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. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. Multiple Brittain family members rushed from the room as graphic images of the 17-year-old played out on a screen. The Arkansas State Police on Friday released body camera footage showing the moments after former Lonoke County sheriff's Deputy Michael Davis fatally shot Hunter Brittain during an early morning traffic stop June 23. 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. Rev. 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. 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. "Although Mr. Davis no longer works for my office, Ive been following this case closely. [2] Killing [ edit] Are people going to have to fear for their lives again? she told reporters. The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware of, Newcomb said. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. A key piece to the kit involves prosecutors clearly outlining decisions for the public. 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. The misdemeanor charge enables Davis to still be eligible to serve as a law enforcement officer. Family members said Brittain was grabbing a container that held antifreeze to place behind the trucks wheel, to stop it rolling backward. I do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone conversation last week. Brittain was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. 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. Larger agencies might not have the day-to-day contact with individual investigators, which you find in a small prosecutors office, Golden said. Are people gonna have to fear for their life again? Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. Brittains death has received national attention in the wake of other fatal shootings involving police. 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 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. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. Davis mentioned Brittain's 'loud' and 'smoking' truck, along with their interaction happening 3 a.m. 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. Brittain was up late working on the vehicles transmission before taking the test drive, family members have said. Minutes after the shooting, a third deputy starts to console Davis while still at the scene. They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. The biggest thing about his testimony was that he said he never heard Davis give any verbal cues until after Brittain was shot. [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. As Brittain did this, Davis shot one round at Brittain in his lower right neck. Michael Davis to spend a year in jail but acquitted of manslaughter over death of Hunter Brittain, 17, during June traffic stop. 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. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. Newcomb has said Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily and an engine was knocking. On Friday, Jeff Phillips, a special prosecutor assigned to the case, announced that Michael Davis, the sergeant who shot Brittain, will be charged with manslaughter for recklessly shooting at Brittain. Even though it's not the ending he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said juries often go with the lesser charge. Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. 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 . Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. It's been nine months of fighting and trying to make their voices heard by many, according to Hundley. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says, Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. It's a case that's gained national attention and one that has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas. There is no body camera footage of the incident, though the officer had a camera in his possession. The case attracted attention from national civil rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter. ", Davis then starts yelling at a passenger, Jordan King, "What are y'all driving the vehicle like that?". Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. Brittain had been fatally shot by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early that morning. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. Got a tip? Al Sharpton gave a eulogy asking for the public to come together to help push for policing reforms. 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. 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. 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. 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. Who is Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police? Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. 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. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. It wont require a recusal, Abdul-Bey said. 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. The document says what it says, Jacob said. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory cant publicly release the autopsy report because of Arkansas Code 1212-312, Director Kermit Channell 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. Davis and King have said that Brittain jumped out of the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. Brittains family claim the teen had been working on his pickup, and that at the time of the shooting he was unarmed, with only a bottle of antifreeze in his hands. Crump led the crowd in chanting, Hunter Brittains life matters.. 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. 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. 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. Special prosecutors, who dont have connections to the police agency, are then appointed by the Arkansas prosecutor coordinator, Bob McMahan. 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