My nephew, Hunter, is laying in a grave or refrigeration and this man is going to get to go home," he said. 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. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. 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 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. Davis said mentioned several things that led to him firing his gun. Davis could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. Unfortunately no one was ever trained on what the "if possible" meant. Brittain was up late working on the vehicles transmission before taking the test drive, family members have said. (Photo courtesy of Arkansas State Police). A cop shot and killed Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to grab an antifreeze jug from his car. Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. The first witness called to the stand by the prosecution team was 16-year-old Jordan King. Davis, who was originally charged with felony. If convicted, he could face three to 10 years in prison. The jurys decision is a declaration that an Arkansas law enforcement officer, in full uniform, unlawfully killed Hunter Brittain, the attorneys said. Crump and Jacob invoked other people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was fatally shot during a botched police raid. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other media outlets have requested footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the incident happened. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. 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. 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. The state police released a majority of the investigative file Friday. 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. Davis said all of these things were the reason he felt afraid for his life and thought Brittain "was going to kill him.". When Brittain was shot, Davis said that's when he saw a container in Brittain's hands that fell to the ground. But the passenger in the truck heard no verbal communication, only 1 shot. Rice's video also starts right before "shots fired" transmits across his radio. Heres what you need to know. 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. His death sparked nationwide protests over policing and racial inequality. Davis and King have said that Brittain jumped out of the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis. 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. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. You know, he'll go back to force," she said. The jury was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions. The two were test-driving the vehicle about 3 a.m when Davis pulled them over. What were the ramification to the LEO that decided to break their oath?? Davis, an eight-year veteran with the Lonoke County Sheriffs office, gave the boy commands to stop and shot him before he could see what he was retrieving, which turned out to be a jug of antifreeze. Due to that failure, I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the sheriff said in a video statement on Facebook. Are people going to have to fear for their lives again? she told reporters. 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 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. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. Graham said hes sent the file to the state prosecutor coordinator since hes requested a special prosecutor to handle the case. 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. A key piece to the kit involves prosecutors clearly outlining decisions for the public. He said Davis gave verbal commands directing Brittain stay in the vehicle. 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. The family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob and Benjamin Crump to represent them in the case. What happened to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain? Shortly after the shooting, Davis was fired by the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office for breaking their body-camera policy. Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Reverend Al Sharpton said at a eulogy for Mr 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. An investigator with the Arkansas State Police was called to the stand after. The misdemeanor charge enables Davis to still be eligible to serve as a law enforcement officer. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Are people gonna have to fear for their life again? I didnt get into this job to kill people, he said. 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. 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. Its about right and wrong.. 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. BEEBE, Ark. After the verdict was announced, Brittains family and friends chanted Justice for Hunter outside the national guard facility used for the trial. 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. Davis testified that he thought the teen was grabbing for a gun. 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, said the report throws doubt on earlier statements from Brittains family members and their attorneys that the teen was shot three times. Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe). Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. 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. The state rested their case and the defense will start on Thursday, March 17, at 9 a.m. During the third day of trial, the defense brought up their witnesses. The witness said that Davis was in compliance with his training. 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. It was emotional for witnesses and Brittain's family, many of them had to step out of the courtroom. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. One of their witnesses included a law enforcement officer who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force. 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. 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. Davis, Newcomb said. Staley also said the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office does not have dash cameras on its police vehicles. Al Sharpton gave a eulogy asking for the public to come together to help push for policing reforms. During the early morning hours of June 23, Davis spotted Brittain driving a vehicle that was smoking heavily and an engine that was knocking, Newcomb said Wednesday. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. Davis,. "I was not happy. He also got emotional multiple times during his testimony. (AP) The Rev. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. 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. I respect the decision of the jury. The family is going to continue to trust the process, Jacob said. I never thought anything like this would happen until it hit so close to home, said Scott Hendrickson, whose son was close friends with Brittain and who is . 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. They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. 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. Michael Davis to spend a year in jail but acquitted of manslaughter over death of Hunter Brittain, 17, during June traffic stop. The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists . The document says what it says, Jacob said. Brttain went to the bed to get something(transmission fluid / anti-freeze) for the truck. the officer fired 1 shot killing the teen. I think its murder, she said. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 300 hours of community service. They always seem to have their body cameras off. Famed attorney Ben Crump named one of TIME's100 Most Influential People, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in. 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.. 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. (Tommy Metthe/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. 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. The report was first requested by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on July 8. Floyd died in May last year when a white Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin the handcuffed Black mans neck to the ground. 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. 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. Both were lawyers in George Floyd's murder case. Attorney Ben Crump and Jacob were retained by Brittains family in the days after the shooting as the case received national attention. No. 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. He said each prosecutors office has to make its own determination on how to handle police shootings. How much help are American volunteers in Ukraine? Its about right and wrong.. In Arkansas, law enforcement agencies typically investigate cases while prosecutors make the decision on whether criminal charges will be filed. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. 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. Brittain had been fatally shot by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early that morning. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. People protesting the killing of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain doing burnouts in the parking lot of the Lonoke County sheriff's office. "I didn't say that this defendant was a bad guy. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. 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. This is something, Jesse Brittain, the boys uncle, told CBS News. On June 24, Graham sent an email to state police special agent Robert Middleton saying, Per our phone conversation, we will not be releasing the body camera video of the recent Officer Involved Shooting in Lonoke County at this time. He claimed in documents filed in Lonoke County Circuit Court that Davis has had a very close working relationship with most members of the prosecutors office and has recently testified for the state in at least one jury trial. The motion was granted by 1st Division Circuit Judge Barbara Elmore the same day. During a public memorial for Brittain earlier this week, Rev. attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders. 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 next day, the Arkansas State Police passed the investigation file to Grahams office. Crump led the crowd in chanting, Hunter Brittains life matters.. When asked what that might include, he said, Not much for the state police. Brittain was up late working on the vehicles transmission before taking the test drive, family members have said. He took a life.. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. Davis was originally charged with manslaughter, in a a case that was difficult for everyone involved. "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. Jury deliberations lasted less than three hours. Davis was fired by the Lonoke county sheriff, John Staley, for not turning on his body camera until after shooting Brittain. After Phillips announcement that a warrant would be issued for Davis arrest on Friday, the courtroom burst into cheers. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says, Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Davis mentioned Brittain's 'loud' and 'smoking' truck, along with their interaction happening 3 a.m. But even after the verdict, the Brittain family said this isn't the end of them telling Hunter's story. "It's going to be hard, it's been hard, it's been hard since June," he said. Honestly, I try to do the right thing. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. On 1 July, the the sheriffs office announced it had fired sergeant Davis for failing to comply with the agencys body camera policy. 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. Every state, every locality, is different, Marque Heydari said. 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. Once he gets back? 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.. He also shared what made him fear for his life, which consequently made him fire his gun. 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