We'll never have Hunter standing with us again.". Davis told authorities he gave "several commands" to Brittain to get back in his car and to show his hands as Brittain reached with both hands into the bed of the truck when he fired his weapon. 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. If convicted of manslaughter, Davis could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison. 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. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. 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. The teen didnt respond to verbal commands given by the deputy, Necomb said. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. 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. 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. Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. On July 1, a little more than a week after the shooting, Chuck Graham, prosecuting attorney for the 23rd Judicial District, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that he planned to file a motion for the assignment of a special prosecutor. Both are representing Brittains family. Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. Davis,. 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. "I was not happy. What has been the reaction to the shooting? "It's going to be hard, it's been hard, it's been hard since June," he said. 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. Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. 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! 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. 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. My nephew, Hunter, is laying in a grave or refrigeration and this man is going to get to go home," he said. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriffs deputy. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. The two government bodies work separately but lean on each other to take criminal cases to fruition. His press conference on Friday was brief and he refused to take questions. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. Graham said hes sent the file to the state prosecutor coordinator since hes requested a special prosecutor to handle the case. 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. That's what this jury says, that's a strong finding," he said. The video was first seen by the public during the first day of Davis' trial. The Lonoke County sheriff's deputy opened fire on Hunter Britain, 17, after he. Michael Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain has been released. He was my grandson. Michael Davis near Cabot, Arkansas, United States. 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. 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. Brittain was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop . "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. 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. Once we have the autopsy report, we will know more.. Sadly there is not really anyone who we can point to here in Arkansas who is a quote and quote expert who can talk on this because it is untreaded territory right now. Brittain had been fatally shot by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early that morning. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. This is the ideal, Marque Heydari said. At times, prosecutors will recuse themselves and request a special prosecutor for cases involving law enforcement officers because of the relationship between the two bodies. No matter which side you looked at, it was a difficult week for everyone. Minutes after the shooting, a third deputy starts to console Davis while still at the scene. 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. A jury found former Lonoke County Sgt. If convicted, he could face three to 10 years in prison. Davis said he could not see the 17-year-old's hands before shooting. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. Michael Davis of the Lonoke County sheriff's office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos. 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 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 Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, A memorial for Hunter Brittain in Beebe, Arkansas last year. 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 case attracted attention from national civil rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter. 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. He said Davis missed one of the three steps needed to activate the camera. Video at arkansasonline.com/mdavis/. A key piece to the kit involves prosecutors clearly outlining decisions for the public. 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. "Now, what's gonna happen? A medical examiner from the Arkansas State Crime lab that confirmed Brittain was shot in the neck, was also called to the stand on Wednesday. But if we segregate how we react, then were wrong.. Authorities have released few details about the shooting. Hey, ever wounder what happened at the end of that case?? Were going to take this and see what else [the special prosecutor in the case] has got to say and hopefully this will stick. Newcomb has said Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily and an engine was knocking. How much help are American volunteers in Ukraine? Davis claimed he didn't realize he didn't turn on his body camera until after the shots were fired. The Lonoke County prosecutors office had contact with the Arkansas State Police before and after recusing itself because of an unavoidable conflict in the investigation into the fatal shooting June 23 of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain by a sheriffs deputy. They added that cops are taught "hands kill" and if you can't see the persons hands, it could be a problem. Ben Crump, who represented Brittains family said: Hunter deserved better.. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. The report was first requested by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on July 8. 1, we dont have situations like this very often, he said. Crump led the crowd in chanting, Hunter Brittains life matters.. Brttain went to the bed to get something(transmission fluid / anti-freeze) for the truck. the officer fired 1 shot killing the teen. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says. "I don't think it's fair. While the verdict isn't something they agree with, the Brittain family said they do accept it. 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. Heres what you need to know. The family is going to continue to trust the process, Jacob said. The judge added that no one can wear t-shirts or have any signs on their cars starting on Tuesday, March 15, when jury selection begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, started with jury selection, which took about four hours. Brittain's family said he was working on his truck right before he drove it down the road and was pulled over by Davis. I never touched it, Graham said when asked about the file. The misdemeanor charge enables Davis to still be eligible to serve as a law enforcement officer. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. Michael Davis to spend a year in jail but acquitted of manslaughter over death of Hunter Brittain, 17, during June traffic stop. One officer was convicted of murder in Floyds death. The only thing that bothered me is that they checked with Graham and they wouldnt let us look at the video, Newcomb said. Davis said he gave commands to Brittain to show his hands that were ignored. 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. Rev. 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. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The first witness called to the stand by the prosecution team was 16-year-old Jordan King. 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. When Brittain was about to remove his hands from the back of the truck, Davis said he shot once before he could see what Brittain was holding. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. It's not that this isn't a shocking and tragic. All rights reserved. Example video title will go here for this video. Staley also said the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office does not have dash cameras on its police vehicles. After Phillips announcement that a warrant would be issued for Davis arrest on Friday, the courtroom burst into cheers. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other media outlets have requested footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the incident happened. A cop shot and killed Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to grab an antifreeze jug from his car. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. 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. "I was hoping for a not guilty verdict on both charges. "Why'd he hop out of the truck and grab that? 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.. But King said Davis never gave any commands to Brittain before he shot him. The jurys decision is a declaration that an Arkansas law enforcement officer, in full uniform, unlawfully killed Hunter Brittain, the attorneys 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. Brittain was up late working on the vehicles transmission before taking the test drive, family members have said. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. Crump and Jacob invoked other people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was fatally shot during a botched police raid. He said Davis gave verbal commands directing Brittain stay in the vehicle. 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 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. Prosecuting attorney, Jeff Phillips said the state is fine with the verdict but the sentencing wasn't what they expected. It was emotional for witnesses and Brittain's family, many of them had to step out of the courtroom. A video from Rice, who arrived within minutes of the shooting, shows King on the ground in cuffs as Davis yells. Once we have the autopsy report, we will know more.. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Staley noted this was a department policy violation and used that as justification for Davis being fired. Multiple Brittain family members rushed from the room as graphic images of the 17-year-old played out on a screen. The family's attorney, Devon Jacob said they aren't going to focus on the charges, but rather look at the meaning behind the jury's decision. Brittain was eulogized last year by the civil rights leader the Rev Al Sharpton, who said the death highlighted the need for interracial support for changes in policing. Got a tip? I'll say I'm not necessarily surprised by that burden," he said. The teen didnt respond to verbal commands given by the deputy, Necomb said. Davis could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. According to family members, Brittain had been working on the vehicles transmission and was taking a test drive when he was stopped by Davis. 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. On Rice's footage, crime tape starts to go up as he gets Brittain's name from King. Davis, who was originally charged with felony manslaughter, fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. 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. Im his grandmother. I respect the decision of the jury. Unfortunately no one was ever trained on what the "if possible" meant. 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. Brittains death has received national attention in the wake of other fatal shootings involving police. [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. The vehicle was smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have said. During the trial, King told the jury that Brittain had been working on replacing his transmission all night. I do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone conversation last week. 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. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. Kwami Abdul-Bey, legislative/political action chairman for the Jacksonville branch of the NAACP, said the measure would include a position at the Arkansas attorney generals office that would be responsible for investigating police shootings or brutality cases. Neither Brittains nor Davis attorneys are supportive of Grahams decision to withhold body-camera footage. I was working from home. He would have faced between three and 10 years in prison for manslaughter, a felony. 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. You know, he'll go back to force," she said. State Police say Hunter Britain, 17 was shot and killed by Sergeant Michael Davis. 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. 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. 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. The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware of, Newcomb said. 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. What happened the night Hunter Brittain died? The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. ", Davis then starts yelling at a passenger, Jordan King, "What are y'all driving the vehicle like that?". Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley last week fired Davis for not turning on his body camera until after he had shot Brittain. "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. 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