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.. "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. He remains free on bond pending appeal. The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists . 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. 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. Davis, who was originally charged with felony. Im not sure we could set a policy at the national level that could cover all circumstances. Prosecutors are held accountable by elections, Golden said. 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. The jury was asked a series of questions related to law enforcement and their opinions. Neither Brittains nor Davis attorneys are supportive of Grahams decision to withhold body-camera footage. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. Hopefully, Hunter and his untimely death will finish what Hunters brother George Floyd and his death started, Jacob said. TIL Sam Kinison was killed by a drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson. He said he should refrain from talking about the case because special prosecutor Jeff Phillips, prosecuting attorney for the 5th Judicial District, was named July 12. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. Michael Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain has been released. His attorney, Newcomb, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It will be automatic. Abdul-Bey said prosecutors involvement in police-shooting cases has faced increased scrutiny since Little Rock resident Bradley Black-shire was fatally shot by officer Charles Starks on Feb. 22, 2019. The sentence has resulted in mixed emotions from many parties involved, that all had comments after the verdict. Davis then moves to sit in another vehicle by himself. 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. As I have said since day one, this was a tragic event and we all need to continue praying for those involved," Staley 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. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. Davis did not report at the time that he was in pursuit because he realized the truck was attempting to turn left into the body shop. 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. Staley noted this was a department policy violation and used that as justification for Davis being fired. They always seem to have their body cameras off. 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. Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says. 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. 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. A passenger and another witness testified they never heard Davis tell the teen to show his hands. Who is Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police? But even after the verdict, the Brittain family said this isn't the end of them telling Hunter's story. 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. 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. 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. 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. "I don't think it's fair. They have also pushed for state laws that would require officers to have their body cameras on their entire shift. He also shared what made him fear for his life, which consequently made him fire his gun. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. 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. 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. He said Davis gave verbal commands directing Brittain stay in the vehicle. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. I cant speak to what different offices practice are. The case attracted attention from national civil rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter. It wont require a recusal, Abdul-Bey said. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other media outlets have requested footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the incident happened. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. 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 investigation of the shooting was quickly turned over to the Arkansas State Police. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, A memorial for Hunter Brittain in Beebe, Arkansas last year. Brittains death has received national attention in the wake of other fatal shootings involving police. The maximum jail term faced by Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke county sheriffs office, was one year. 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. Attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob, representing Brittains family, criticized the sheriff for not firing Davis over the shooting itself. Arkansas State Police investigated Davis use of deadly force and turned over its findings to Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Phillips, who was named special prosecutor for the case July 12. 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. The family is going to continue to trust the process, Jacob said. 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. (Photo courtesy of Arkansas State Police). 1, we dont have situations like this very often, he said. Special prosecutors, who dont have connections to the police agency, are then appointed by the Arkansas prosecutor coordinator, Bob McMahan. Brittain had been fatally shot by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early that morning. Jesse Brittain, Hunters uncle, received a standing ovation when he called for an end to qualified immunity for police officers, a legal doctrine that frequently shields them from civil lawsuits for things they do in the course of their job. Both were lawyers in George Floyd's murder case. 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.". 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. 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. Family members have said Brittain had been working on his trucks transmission and had been test driving it when he was pulled over. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Davis said that before he could put his own car in park, Brittain jumped out and moved to the rear of the truck and began reaching into the bed as it slowly rolled backward. You know, he'll go back to force," she said. 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. They didnt say one word that I know of, he told KATV. 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. 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.. 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. Davis claimed he didn't realize he didn't turn on his body camera until after the shots were fired. 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. Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. When asked what that might include, he said, Not much for the state police. They added that cops are taught "hands kill" and if you can't see the persons hands, it could be a problem. ", Davis then starts yelling at a passenger, Jordan King, "What are y'all driving the vehicle like that?". 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