hunter brittain arkansas shooting
Video at arkansasonline.com/mdavis/. The jury handed down a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine -- the maximum penalty for the charge -- after finding Davis guilty. 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. I didn't say he was a mean guy. The video was first seen by the public during the first day of Davis' trial. "Now, what's gonna happen? 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. 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. ", Davis then starts yelling at a passenger, Jordan King, "What are y'all driving the vehicle like that?". How much help are American volunteers in Ukraine? (Tommy Metthe/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. They argued that the shooting shows how police violence affects all people and called for reform. The misdemeanor charge enables Davis to still be eligible to serve as a law enforcement officer. 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. I think its murder, she said. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. He's still driving on his way to the scene. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. 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. I didnt get into this job to kill people, he said. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. The only one who has been accurate on that is Sgt. Both were lawyers in George Floyd's murder case. The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Reverend Al Sharpton said at a eulogy for Mr Brittain. Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. 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. Brittains shooting by a Lonoke County sheriffs deputy has drawn the attention of civil rights activists nationally. BEEBE, Ark. 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 is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. 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.. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. Michael Davis of the Lonoke County sheriff's office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos. This is the ideal, Marque Heydari 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. 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. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. [2] Killing [ edit] A video from Rice, who arrived within minutes of the shooting, shows King on the ground in cuffs as Davis yells. Brittains family has said the teenager was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when he was shot. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. He also shared what made him fear for his life, which consequently made him fire his gun. 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. 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. Davis testified that he thought the teen was grabbing for a gun. "Although Mr. Davis no longer works for my office, Ive been following this case closely. 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 document says what it says, Jacob said. 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. 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. 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. attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. 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. Pierson pled guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. As I have said since day one, this was a tragic event and we all need to continue praying for those involved," Staley said. Brittain had been fatally shot by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early that morning. After Phillips announcement that a warrant would be issued for Davis arrest on Friday, the courtroom burst into cheers. The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. 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. 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. 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. Davis attorney, Robert Newcomb, previously told The Daily Beast that Davis feared the worst when Brittain hopped out and reached into the bed of his truck. The witness said that Davis was in compliance with his training. He would have faced between three and 10 years in prison for manslaughter, a felony. The case attracted attention from national civil rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter. Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, he said. In an interview with Davis, he said he initiated the traffic stop of Brittain's white GMC truck and heard "the truck's engine rev up and then began to travel southbound in the northbound lane." After a few minutes, he can be heard crying. Brittain's family said he was working on his truck right before he drove it down the road and was pulled over by Davis. Davis said he shot Brittain once, after the teen exited his truck and. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. Im his grandmother. Now that the trial has begun, Brittain's Aunt Mary Robertson is praying that that accountability happens in the coming days. 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. "It's going to be hard, it's been hard, it's been hard since June," he said. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. 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. An ambulance arrives on the scene at 14 minutes after "shots fired" went across the radio. Got a tip? 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. That's all I asked for," Rebecca Payne, Brittain's grandma, 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. 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 issue of policing is not about Black and white, Sharpton told a packed auditorium at Beebe High School, where Brittain was a rising senior. I respect the decision of the jury. Even though it's not the ending he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said juries often go with the lesser charge. 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. 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. They didnt say one word that I know of, he told KATV. 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. 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 family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob and Benjamin Crump to represent them in the case. Hunters family is already distrustful because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said. I was working from home. 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. "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. The only ones are at the very top and that's so the jury will not be able to hear anything going on outside. The family is going to continue to trust the process, Jacob said. Davis told investigators he shot Brittain once in the neck after the teen exited his truck and reached into the bed of the pickup while failing to comply with commands to show his hands, according to the arrest affidavit. 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. (Photo courtesy of Arkansas State Police). He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. Davis mentioned Brittain's 'loud' and 'smoking' truck, along with their interaction happening 3 a.m. Brittain was shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy during a traffic stop on June 23. There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the coroners report. Highway Patrol trooper on leave after fatal Morton County shooting. It's been nine months of fighting and trying to make their voices heard by many, according to Hundley. There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the coroners report. Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. 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. When Brittain was shot, Davis said that's when he saw a container in Brittain's hands that fell to the ground. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. 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. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. Jurors acquitted Michael Davis of manslaughter while finding him guilty of the misdemeanor charge in the death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a June traffic stop outside Cabot, a city of about 26,000 people roughly 30 miles north-east of Little Rock. You could always say Mr. Graham should have stepped away immediately but that is hindsight, Newcomb said. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. The only thing that bothered me is that they checked with Graham and they wouldnt let us look at the video, Newcomb said. The sheriff said he respected the jurys decision. All rights reserved. Were going to take this and see what else [the special prosecutor in the case] has got to say and hopefully this will stick. Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriffs office and have complained about the lack of information released. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 300 hours of community service. Once he gets back? King said he never heard any commands from Davis before the gunshot. During his instruction it states that you must tell the subject you are going to shoot them before "if possible." "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. What happened to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain? TIL Sam Kinison was killed by a drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. It's not that this isn't a shocking and tragic. (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. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. Unfortunately no one was ever trained on what the "if possible" meant. Ultimately the 12 jurors were seated-- made up of nine women, three men, and two alternates. According to the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office, Sergeant Michael Davis initiated the traffic stop at 3 a.m. on June 23. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. 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. What were the ramification to the LEO that decided to break their oath?? Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. Davis said he could not see the 17-year-old's hands before shooting. Davis, Newcomb said. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. While everyone in the makeshift courtroom in Cabot was quiet when they heard the decision, they said a lot to once they exited the doors. Brttain went to the bed to get something(transmission fluid / anti-freeze) for the truck. the officer fired 1 shot killing the teen. 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. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. 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. 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. Davis, who was originally charged with felony. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says, Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Hunter's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology. 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. Brittain made his way to the truck bed, where he grabbed a blue coolant jug. 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. Minutes after the shooting, a third deputy starts to console Davis while still at the scene. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. 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! But it turned out to just be a jug of antifreeze. The maximum jail term faced by Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke county sheriffs office, was one year. 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. The defense also added and went through every reason why Davis feared for his life and fired the gun. He wont be an officer no more and he cant kill no more kids.. 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