He took a life.. On Rice's footage, crime tape starts to go up as he gets Brittain's name from King. King was in the car with Brittain in the early morning hours of June 23, 2021. Chuck. Text messages sent later that day and on June 28 were redacted by the state police agency. Didn't put the truck in park, nothing," Davis says. He also pointed out that Brittain didn't listen to his commands and that he unable to see both of Brittain's hands in the bed of the truck. 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. Rice's video also starts right before "shots fired" transmits across his radio. I respect the decision of the jury. The trial for a former Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy accused of killing an unarmed teenager during a traffic stop happened this week. Michael Davis after Brittain exited his truck to put a blue plastic bottle of antifreeze behind a wheel because the vehicle wouldnt shift into park. Videos from body cameras show moments after deputy fired fatal shot, 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 traffic stop near Cabot. There are no cameras allowed inside the courtroom and that's how it's going to be for the remainder of the week and for the rest of this trial. Because he is not here, we all have to unite together and make sure people all over America know that we will get justice for Hunter Brittain, Crump said. (NWA Media). Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Crump and Jacob invoked other people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was fatally shot during a botched police raid. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The misdemeanor charge enables Davis to still be eligible to serve as a law enforcement officer. Ive had him for the last five years of his life, his grandmother Rebecca Payne said after the killing. 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 turned into a lot off the highway and jumped out of the vehicle, which was rolling backward, Newcomb said Wednesday. Rev. 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. State Police say Hunter Britain, 17 was shot and killed by Sergeant Michael Davis. 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. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 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. Rice's camera moves at about 19 minutes into his video, and Brittain is no longer on the ground. 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. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. Michael Davis of the Lonoke County sheriff's office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos. 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. Hunter's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology. Mike Davis plead not guilty to felony manslaughter in the death of Hunter Brittain. 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. King said he never heard any commands from Davis before the gunshot. Michael Davis near Cabot, Arkansas, United States. That's what this jury says, that's a strong finding," he said. Are people going to have to fear for their lives again? she told reporters. All rights reserved. Who is Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police? Brittain was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop . "Because the deputy failed to activate his bodycam, he has been terminated," Staley said in his statement. He also got emotional multiple times during his testimony. 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. Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, The case has attracted nationwide calls for police reform, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. 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. The two were test-driving the vehicle about 3 a.m when Davis pulled them over. One bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said. The maximum jail term faced by Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke county sheriffs office, was one year. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. He's still driving on his way to the scene. 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. But King said Davis never gave any commands to Brittain before he shot him. 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. Davis and King have said that Brittain jumped out of the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis. 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. You know, he'll go back to force," she said. 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. An investigator with the Arkansas State Police was called to the stand after. Davis was fired by the Lonoke county sheriff, John Staley, for not turning on his body camera until after shooting Brittain. Bodycam footage of an Arkansas deputy responding to the scene after former Sgt. 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. 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. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The defense also added and went through every reason why Davis feared for his life and fired the gun. Both are representing Brittains family. Its about right and wrong.. [2] Killing [ edit] Attorney Ben Crump and Jacob were retained by Brittains family in the days after the shooting as the case received national attention. Investigators found no firearms in or near the truck. Multiple Brittain family members rushed from the room as graphic images of the 17-year-old played out on a screen. "I don't think it's fair. It's been nine months of fighting and trying to make their voices heard by many, according to Hundley. "We're glad that we're finally at this point. 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.. 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. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. 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. The video was first seen by the public during the first day of Davis' trial. One bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. The teen was having trouble shifting the truck into park, according to a friend in the car at the time, so Mr Brittain jumped out of the car to retrieve a jug in the trucks bed he used as a backstop for the ageing vehicle. The video starts with Davis saying, "Shots fired, shots fired," across his radio. The family is going to continue to trust the process, Jacob said. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 300 hours of community service. Al Sharpton, who spoke at Brittain's funeral July 6 at Beebe High School, where the teen attended school. Its about right and wrong.. 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 memorial included calls to pass federal legislation in Floyds name to overhaul police practices. In their closing arguments, the defense highlighted Davis' character and how he became a police officer to help people, not hurt people. Brittain was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. All rights reserved. Prosecuting attorney, Jeff Phillips said the state is fine with the verdict but the sentencing wasn't what they expected. who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriffs deputy. Brttain went to the bed to get something(transmission fluid / anti-freeze) for the truck. the officer fired 1 shot killing the teen. You could always say Mr. Graham should have stepped away immediately but that is hindsight, Newcomb said. 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. The young man jumped out and ran to the back of the car and stuck his hands into the back of the vehicle and still wasnt responding to any verbal commands, Newcomb said. Brittain was up late working on the vehicles transmission before taking the test drive, family members have said. The case made national headlines and gained the attention of civil-rights activists, including the Rev. The state police released a majority of the investigative file Friday. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. 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. My nephew, Hunter, is laying in a grave or refrigeration and this man is going to get to go home," he said. 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. Crump questioned Grahams involvement in the case in response to inquiries Wednesday by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Davis is white. 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'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. This is something, Jesse Brittain, the boys uncle, told CBS News. 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 jury was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions. There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the coroners report. Brittains family retained Ben Crump and Devin Jacob just days after the shooting. After a few minutes, he can be heard crying. Michael Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain has been released. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. 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 shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy during a traffic stop on June 23. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. It was released after the March 18 closure of a trial in which Davis, 31, was convicted of misdemeanor negligent homicide in the death of the 17-year-old from McRae. Honestly, I try to do the right thing. 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. 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. But even after the verdict, the Brittain family said this isn't the end of them telling Hunter's story. This is the ideal, Marque Heydari said. I think its murder, she said. "It's going to be hard, it's been hard, it's been hard since June," he said. The only one who has been accurate on that is Sgt. Larger agencies might not have the day-to-day contact with individual investigators, which you find in a small prosecutors office, Golden said. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. 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. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. 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. 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.. Jordan King told police that the two had been working on the truck's transmission all night and were test driving it. 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 the passenger in the truck heard no verbal communication, only 1 shot. Graham filed the motion for a special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Davis claimed he didn't realize he didn't turn on his body camera until after the shots were fired. The civil rights leader and the high-profile attorney, who Sharpton has dubbed "Black America's Attorney general," deemed the police shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain "one of the most. 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. 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. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. 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. Video at arkansasonline.com/mdavis/. Ex-deputy charged with manslaughter in death of Arkansas teen out on bond. The family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob and Benjamin Crump to represent them in the case. They didnt say one word that I know of, he told KATV. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. After a short break, open arguments started around 2:30 p.m. 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. Ultimately the 12 jurors were seated-- made up of nine women, three men, and two alternates. 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. King, 16 at the time, said the teens had previously used a coolant container to stop the truck from rolling back. 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