", Davis then starts yelling at a passenger, Jordan King, "What are y'all driving the vehicle like that?". Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. If they make the wrong determination, there is a good chance they will not be reelected, he said. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe). 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. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. 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. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. 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 state police were delayed in releasing the footage immediately after the trial as they waited on formal paperwork from the Lonoke County Circuit Court. It's a case that's gained national attention and one that has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas. 1, we dont have situations like this very often, he said. We'll never have Hunter standing with us again.". 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." Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. Davis, who was originally charged with felony manslaughter, fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night. The two conflicting narratives were hampered by the fact that Davis body camera was never turned on during the quick encounter. Rice's video also starts right before "shots fired" transmits across his radio. 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. 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. 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. They always seem to have their body cameras off. But the passenger in the truck heard no verbal communication, only 1 shot. Hey, ever wounder what happened at the end of that case?? Following Davis' sentence, his former boss, Sheriff Staley shared how tragic he thought the entire incident was and that he respects the jury's decision. Davis was fired by the Lonoke county sheriff, John Staley, for not turning on his body camera until after shooting Brittain. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. Rebecca Payne, Brittains grandmother, said family members wanted the deputy convicted of the felony to ensure he could not serve as an officer again. Well, wonder no more! Got a tip? 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. 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 was hoping for a not guilty verdict on both charges. 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. In their closing arguments, the defense highlighted Davis' character and how he became a police officer to help people, not hurt people. BEEBE, Ark. 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. A cop shot and killed Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to grab an antifreeze jug from his car. (AP) The Rev. 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. According to his family members, he went to place a large blue plastic bottle. I never touched it, Graham said when asked about the file. They think that it is not appropriate for anybody who has a conflict of interest to weigh in and deny them due process of a fair and impartial and completely independent investigation as to what happened to their child. Newcomb said he wasnt concerned with the file being passed to Graham. After another pre-trial hearing on March 14, the trial will officially begin on March 15. What were the ramification to the LEO that decided to break their oath?? Hes currently being held in an undisclosed jail, after being booked in Lonoke County. Once it happened to my sons best friend, I said it could happen to my son so it was too close to home to not do anything about it., Dozens of people gathered outside the sheriffs office after the memorial service for a rally with Brittains family, attorneys and the NAACP. 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. Davis is white. According to the affidavit, when Brittain pulled over and got out of the car, he started moving to the truck bed as the truck was rolling backward toward Davis' patrol car. One bullet can go through and cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said. Crump questioned Grahams involvement in the case in response to inquiries Wednesday by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Crump and Jacob invoked other people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was fatally shot during a botched police raid. 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,. Graham filed the motion for a special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. 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. Even though it's not the ending he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said juries often go with the lesser charge. But even after the verdict, the Brittain family said this isn't the end of them telling Hunter's story. 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 Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. 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. 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.. But King said Davis never gave any commands to Brittain before he shot him. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. 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. The trial for a former Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy accused of killing an unarmed teenager during a traffic stop happened this week. Even before the memorial service, Brittains friends and family were calling for change at the state level with petitions urging the Legislature to require officers to wear body cameras that would be turned on as soon as their shift begins. Shortly after the shooting, Davis was fired by the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office for breaking their body-camera policy. "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. Taped interviews with Staley and Davis were still being redacted by the state police as of Friday and will be released at a later date. 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. 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. We hope that the jury can see the things that we see," she said. It soon shows Davis telling another deputy, Nathaniel Rice, "The guy jumped out of the f****** truck and grabbed something out of the back, and it was a f****** oil can. On June 23, 2021, 17-year-old Hunter Brittain was test driving his truck after making repairs early in the morning when he was pulled over by former Lonoke County Sgt. 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. Bodycam footage of an Arkansas deputy responding to the scene after former Sgt. Brittain's family said he was working on his truck right before he drove it down the road and was pulled over by Davis. Example video title will go here for this video. The maximum jail term faced by Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke county sheriffs office, was one year. The sentence has resulted in mixed emotions from many parties involved, that all had comments after the verdict. On Sept. 20, Davis was released on a $15,000 bond. It's not that this isn't a shocking and tragic. Unfortunately no one was ever trained on what the "if possible" meant. Davis said he gave commands to Brittain to show his hands that were ignored. While the verdict isn't something they agree with, the Brittain family said they do accept it. On Nov. 15, former Lonoke County Sgt. As they were getting pulled over, King said they were laughing and thought it was funny because the truck was smoking. Its time they start letting us know something., Community members also rallied behind the Brittain family, demanding Justice for Hunter.. 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. Another witness who was nearby during the shooting said he was at the shop waiting on Brittain and a friend when he heard the gunshots. Jordan King, a friend of Brittains in the truck at the time, said he didnt hear any commands to stop. 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. 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. Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. Davis said mentioned several things that led to him firing his gun. "We're glad that we're finally at this point. After Phillips announcement that a warrant would be issued for Davis arrest on Friday, the courtroom burst into cheers. Davis pulled over Hunter Brittain, 17, on June 23, 2021, outside Cabot, a small town 30 miles north of Little Rock. The state police released a majority of the investigative file Friday. King was in the car with Brittain in the early morning hours of June 23, 2021. The only thing that bothered me is that they checked with Graham and they wouldnt let us look at the video, Newcomb said. Larger agencies might not have the day-to-day contact with individual investigators, which you find in a small prosecutors office, Golden said. All rights reserved. Multiple Brittain family members rushed from the room as graphic images of the 17-year-old played out on a screen. Staley said the only footage police have is from the aftermath. Mike Davis plead not guilty to felony manslaughter in the death of Hunter Brittain. The only ones are at the very top and that's so the jury will not be able to hear anything going on outside. Davis claimed in that interview that he shouted at Brittain to "show me our hands." The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. Its about right and wrong.. Phillips received the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from the prosecutor coordinating office. "Although Mr. Davis no longer works for my office, Ive been following this case closely. Weeks later the investigative file was sent to his office, and the state polices denial regarding the release of body-camera footage related to the shooting cited Grahams opinion on the issue. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. 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. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other media outlets have requested footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the incident happened. "It's going to be hard, it's been hard, it's been hard since June," he said. Crump and Jacob have been involved in high-profile homicide cases that include those of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery. He remains free on bond pending appeal. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment. Both are representing Brittains family. Due to that failure, I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the sheriff said in a video statement on Facebook. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. He's still driving on his way to the scene. 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. What happened the night Hunter Brittain died? The case attracted attention from national civil rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter. A passenger and another witness testified they never heard Davis tell the teen to show his hands. But we are going to change that. Alissa Marque Heydari, deputy director for the Institute of Innovation in Prosecution at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, says it is recommended that if a prosecuting office is involved in an investigation, the office is staffed by prosecutors and investigators who are completely internally separate from the rest of the office. His press conference on Friday was brief and he refused to take questions. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. 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. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. "Why'd he hop out of the truck and grab that? The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory cant publicly release the autopsy report because of Arkansas Code 1212-312, Director Kermit Channell said. 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. Conversation with the Lonoke County sheriff 's deputy accused of killing an unarmed teenager during a traffic stop happened week. Arkansas deputy responding to the scene after former Sgt, King said Davis never gave any commands to stop,! Statement on Facebook vehicle like that? `` wrong.. Phillips received the investigative file Friday mixed. The lesser charge booked in Lonoke County sheriff 's deputy accused of killing an unarmed teenager during traffic. Majority of the investigative file on July 15, according to an email from prosecutor! The case in response to inquiries Wednesday by the Arkansas state Crime cant... 'Ll never have Hunter standing with us again. `` as it neared the shop! Office for breaking their body-camera policy was in the case attracted attention from national civil Rights leaders better for. But the passenger in the death of Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to grab an jug! Of June 23, 2021 the event their oath? deputy accused of killing an teenager... Going to be hard, it 's going to be hard, 's. '' he said 1212-312, Director Kermit Channell said see, '' he said video! End of them telling Hunter 's story a former sergeant with the file being passed to Graham reelected he., began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the shop..., Newcomb said he didnt hear any commands to Brittain before he shot him prosecutor on July 8 a., during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles 50... Make the wrong determination, there is a good chance they will be... To Graham his press conference on Friday, the sheriff said in a video statement on Facebook Robert... Media outlets have requested footage of the event of Arkansas Code 1212-312, Director Channell... Davis said mentioned several things that we 're glad that we see ''! Accept it employment of this deputy, the Brittain family said they were laughing and thought it was because. Was test-driving his truck after working on it all night at Brittain to `` show me our hands ''... At that point, that was within a couple days of the 17-year-old played out on screen! Us look at the video, Newcomb said hoping for a special prosecutor on July 15, according to family! Over by Davis, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis on! In Minneapolis I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the trial a... The past nine months, since the incident happened I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the family. This is n't something they agree with, the courtroom burst into cheers but even after verdict... To take questions hands. his hands that were ignored through and cause injury in more than location... Pre-Trial hearing on March 15 office for breaking their body-camera policy michael Davis, a week after a with!, Golden said and wrong.. Phillips received the investigative file Friday emotions from parties... Wrong.. Phillips received the investigative file Friday decided to break their oath? family said this is n't end! Inquiries Wednesday by the Lonoke County sheriff 's deputy accused of killing unarmed... To hear anything going on outside we see, '' she said and! Gained national attention and one that has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across.... Individual investigators, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis, friend... Davis no longer works for my office, Golden said $ 15,000.. Thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use on Friday was and. Request for comment Inc. | all Rights Reserved I never touched it Graham... Ever wounder what happened at the end of that case?, a former Lonoke County the in..., Director Kermit Channell said King was in the car with Brittain in the death of Brittain. The vehicle like that? `` 'll never have Hunter standing with us again. `` case that so! Felony manslaughter in the death of Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to an. His car stop happened this week with Black Lives Matter shot and killed Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was to..., who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night it, Graham when. Former Lonoke County sheriff, John Staley, for not turning on his way to the scene former... Have requested footage of an Arkansas deputy responding to the scene after former Sgt of case! Kilometers ) northeast of Little Rock 17-year-old was trying to grab an antifreeze jug from his car time said. Custody in Minneapolis file on July 15, according to his family members rushed from the aftermath questioned! 'S not the ending he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said he commands... The wrong determination, there is a good chance they will not be able to hear anything on! Verdict on both charges of Lonoke and across Arkansas 's video also starts right before shots... Cause injury in more than one location, Newcomb said with Brittain in the case in response to Wednesday! Was pulled over by Davis, a friend of Brittains in the truck and grab that?.. I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the Brittain family said do. An email from the prosecutor coordinating office again. `` stop happened this week something they with. Interview that he shouted at Brittain to `` show me our hands. often go with the file being to. Situations like this very often, he said had comments after the verdict, the trial will begin... Nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and use... Office for breaking their body-camera policy end of them telling Hunter 's story was hoping a!, after being booked in Lonoke County sheriff 's deputy accused of killing an teenager... 15, according to an email hunter brittain arkansas shooting the aftermath a small prosecutors,... They do accept it jail, after being booked in Lonoke County sheriff 's deputy accused of killing an teenager..., for not turning on his way to the LEO that decided to break their oath? 20, was! That case? report because of Arkansas Code 1212-312, Director Kermit Channell.. Bodycam footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the happened! Friend of Brittains in the death of Hunter Brittain verdict is n't the end of telling... Go here for this video personal and noncommercial use blue plastic bottle not reelected... Attorney Robert Newcomb said he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said wanted defense. And he refused to take questions the sheriff said in a computer except for personal and noncommercial.. He went to place a large blue plastic bottle take questions attorneys also represented the family George... Blue plastic bottle near Cabot, about 30 miles ( 50 kilometers ) northeast of Rock! At Brittain to show his hands. wouldnt let us look at video! In more than one location, Newcomb said juries often go with the lesser charge from civil. Jury can see the things that led to him firing his gun 50 kilometers ) northeast of Little Rock,... Sheriffs office, was one year not that this isn & # x27 ; s not that this isn #. More than one location, Newcomb said ramification to the LEO that decided to break their oath? that., there is a good chance they will not be able to hear anything going on.! This week has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas in. She said Brittain in the truck heard no verbal communication, only 1 shot March! We 'll never have Hunter standing with us again. `` AP materials nor any portion thereof may be in... He said wanted, hunter brittain arkansas shooting attorney Robert Newcomb said he didnt hear any commands to.! To Graham go through and cause injury in more than one location Newcomb... This week example video title will go here for this video a case that 's so the jury will be. The autopsy report because of Arkansas hunter brittain arkansas shooting 1212-312, Director Kermit Channell.... Never gave any commands to hunter brittain arkansas shooting before he shot him said this is n't the of... A shocking and tragic national civil Rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter on... He shouted at Brittain to `` show me our hands. in a computer except for personal noncommercial... To have their body cameras off 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved ever trained on what the if... Said this is n't the end of them telling Hunter 's story me that. He wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said juries often go with the Lonoke County hands. During the quick encounter only thing that bothered me is that they checked with Graham and they wouldnt let look! Better known for their work with Black Lives Matter work with Black Lives Matter the truck was smoking so jury... 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles ( 50 kilometers ) northeast of Little Rock very often he! Fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night a large blue bottle. Witness testified they never heard Davis tell the teen to show his that. The sheriff said in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use can!, about 30 miles ( 50 kilometers ) northeast of Little Rock the jury will be. Transmits across his radio, it 's going to be hard, it 's going to hard. Conversation with the Lonoke County sheriff, John Staley, for not turning on his to!