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. All rights reserved. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. King was in the car with Brittain in the early morning hours of June 23, 2021. The civil rights attorneys, who represented George Floyds family after Minneapolis police killed him in May 2020, said: Hunter deserved better. Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. Bodycam footage of an Arkansas deputy responding to the scene after former Sgt. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. Family members said Brittain was grabbing a container that held antifreeze to place behind the trucks wheel, to stop it rolling backward. 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. Brittains family retained Ben Crump and Devin Jacob just days after the shooting. The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists such as Sharpton, who said concerns about police tactics arent just limited to the Black community. Attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob, representing Brittains family, criticized the sheriff for not firing Davis over the shooting itself. Davis claimed he didn't realize he didn't turn on his body camera until after the shots were fired. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. 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. Davis mentioned Brittain's 'loud' and 'smoking' truck, along with their interaction happening 3 a.m. It's been nine months of fighting and trying to make their voices heard by many, according to Hundley. "It was cold-blooded murder by the Lonoke police. "I didn't say that this defendant was a bad guy. The family of Mr Brittain, who dreamed of being a NASCAR racing driver, was heartbroken over the shooting and called for full transparency from the sheriffs department. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. The only one who has been accurate on that is Sgt. 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. 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. Its about right and wrong.. Brittains family has said the teenager was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when he was shot. 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. Crump previously released a statement that Brittain was shot three times by Lonoke County sheriffs Sgt. 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. He said each prosecutors office has to make its own determination on how to handle police shootings. 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. The biggest thing about his testimony was that he said he never heard Davis give any verbal cues until after Brittain was shot. 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. Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. 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. "[It's] going to cost him $15,000 to go home and be with his family, while we're at a loss. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. On Rice's footage, crime tape starts to go up as he gets Brittain's name from King. 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. 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. An Arkansas sheriff's deputy shot and killed a teenager after a traffic stop early Wednesday, officials said. I was working from home. They always seem to have their body cameras off. In shooting case, office failed to quickly cut police contact, 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 photo. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says, Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. People protesting the killing of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain doing burnouts in the parking lot of the Lonoke County sheriff's office. 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. He said Davis missed one of the three steps needed to activate the camera. You tend to know almost all the officers, it doesnt mean you recuse on everything. Graham refused to comment further on the communications when asked by the Democrat-Gazette on Wednesday. I dont want to jeopardize this case, its too important, he said. The prosecution told the jury to look at the evidence--if Davis was able to say, which he testified that he did, "show me your hands" and "get back in the vehicle," then he enough time to tell Brittain, "I am going to shoot you.". 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. King said he never heard any commands from Davis before the gunshot. 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. If convicted, he could face three to 10 years in prison. On 1 July, the the sheriffs office announced it had fired sergeant Davis for failing to comply with the agencys body camera policy. I cant speak to what different offices practice are. The sentence has resulted in mixed emotions from many parties involved, that all had comments after the verdict. Press J to jump to the feed. Well, wonder no more! LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe). Shortly after the shooting, Davis was fired by the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office for breaking their body-camera policy. 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. They argued that the shooting shows how police violence affects all people and called for reform. 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. Ben Crump, who represented Brittains family said: Hunter deserved better.. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. 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. It's not that this isn't a shocking and tragic. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. The only thing that bothered me is that they checked with Graham and they wouldnt let us look at the video, Newcomb said. The case made national headlines and gained the attention of civil-rights activists, including the Rev. Michael Davis near Cabot, Arkansas, United States. The teen didnt respond to verbal commands given by the deputy, Necomb said. Who is Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police? The family is going to continue to trust the process, Jacob said. The defense also added and went through every reason why Davis feared for his life and fired the gun. The investigation of the shooting was quickly turned over to the Arkansas State Police. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittains death. 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. Didn't put the truck in park, nothing," Davis says. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. The day ended with the body camera footage and testimony will resume on Wednesday, March 16, at 9 a.m. During the second day of the trial, the jury watched Davis' recorded interview with state police which was conducted five days after the shooting. Davis was fired by the Lonoke county sheriff, John Staley, for not turning on his body camera until after shooting Brittain. 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. The trial is taking place at the Cabot Readiness Center, where it was moved from the Lonoke County courthouse, mainly due to the fact that there are not a lot of windows inside the courtroom. Davis and King have said that Brittain jumped out of the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis. 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. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. Davis said he shot Brittain once, after the teen exited his truck and. He said he never heard any verbal cues from Davis until after the shots were fired. 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. It also attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders like attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing Brittains family, and has stood alongside them as theyve called for justice. Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriffs office and have complained about the lack of information released. The video starts with Davis saying, "Shots fired, shots fired," across his radio. The memorial included calls to pass federal legislation in Floyds name to overhaul police practices. 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. Chuck. Text messages sent later that day and on June 28 were redacted by the state police agency. If convicted of manslaughter, Davis could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison. Newcomb has said Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily and an engine was knocking. attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. 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. When Brittain was shot, Davis said that's when he saw a container in Brittain's hands that fell to the ground. 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. Even though it's not the ending he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said juries often go with the lesser charge. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware of, Newcomb said. 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. 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. 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. Scott Hundley said this is the beginning of what's going to be a long week for those close to Brittain. Davis, who was originally charged with felony manslaughter, fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night. Hunter's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology. "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. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. 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. "It's going to be hard, it's been hard, it's been hard since June," he said. The witness said that Davis was in compliance with his training. Attorney Ben Crump and Jacob were retained by Brittains family in the days after the shooting as the case received national attention. On Sept. 20, Davis was released on a $15,000 bond. The state police were delayed in releasing the footage immediately after the trial as they waited on formal paperwork from the Lonoke County Circuit Court. What happened the night Hunter Brittain died? Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley last week fired Davis for not turning on his body camera until after he had shot Brittain. While investigating the incident, Lonoke County Sheriff's Office discovered that Davis' body camera footage had only been turned on after Brittain had been shot. 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. CPR is started almost immediately. Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. About 9:45 into the video, another officer comes up to Davis and says, "Buddy, I'm going to put my gun in your holster.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The case attracted attention from national civil rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter. The jury was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions. During the trial, King told the jury that Brittain had been working on replacing his transmission all night. 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. 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. 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. Unfortunately no one was ever trained on what the "if possible" meant. 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. TIL Sam Kinison was killed by a drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson. Jordan King, a friend of Brittains in the truck at the time, said he didnt hear any commands to stop. During a public memorial for Brittain earlier this week, Rev. 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. 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. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 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