He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. According to family members, Brittain had been working on the vehicles transmission and was taking a test drive when he was stopped by Davis. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. He also shared what made him fear for his life, which consequently made him fire his gun. Suspect in shooting of Springdale woman shot by officer after pointing gun at police, Communication program for people with nonverbal autistm coming to Fort Smith, Heavy rain and storms likely to increase Thursday across Arkansas, Storm warning fatigue | Alerting Arkansas. The jury learned the character of Davis about how he is a volunteer firefighter, a father, and has a child on the way. 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. 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. You know, he'll go back to force," she said. Closing arguments lasted a little over an hour. The teen didnt respond to verbal commands given by the deputy, Necomb said. 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. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. Davis, who was originally charged with felony. Davis,. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. 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. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe). King responds that the truck wouldn't shift into park. Its about right and wrong.. Investigators found no firearms in or near the truck. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. He was my grandson. Jordan King, a friend of Brittains in the truck at the time, said he didnt hear any commands to stop. It wont require a recusal, Abdul-Bey said. 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 was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. Highway Patrol trooper on leave after fatal Morton County shooting. Michael Davis of the Lonoke County sheriff's office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos. Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, his uncle Jesse said at his eulogy. Didn't put the truck in park, nothing," Davis says. The maximum jail term faced by Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke county sheriffs office, was one year. 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. [2] Killing [ edit] 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. 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. 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. Shortly after the shooting, Davis was fired by the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office for breaking their body-camera policy. I didnt get into this job to kill people, he said. Brittain turned into a lot off the highway and jumped out of the vehicle, which was rolling backward, Newcomb said Wednesday. 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. Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Well, wonder no more! Newcomb, a Little Rock attorney who often represents police officers, requested a grievance hearing on behalf of Davis from Lonoke County. Graham said hes sent the file to the state prosecutor coordinator since hes requested a special prosecutor to handle the case. 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." Staley on Monday said he welcomed those who want to peacefully protest, but that out-of-state activists could risk inflaming an already difficult situation.. Family members said Brittain was grabbing a container that held antifreeze to place behind the trucks wheel, to stop it rolling backward. 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. Al Sharpton, left, and attorney Benjamin Crump, right, escort Rebecca Payne to view her grandson's casket during the funeral service for 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Beebe High Schools Auditorium in Beebe, Ark. The family of Brittain has hired Devon Jacob and Benjamin Crump to represent them in the case. During the trial, King told the jury that Brittain had been working on replacing his transmission all night. On Friday, Jeff Phillips, a special prosecutor assigned to the case, announced that Michael Davis, the sergeant who shot Brittain, will be charged with manslaughter for recklessly shooting at Brittain. A passenger and another witness testified they never heard Davis tell the teen to show his hands. Video at arkansasonline.com/mdavis/. Michael Davis of the Lonoke County sheriff's office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. When Brittain was shot, Davis said that's when he saw a container in Brittain's hands that fell to the ground. 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. She said that is easier for larger prosecuting offices to implement. (AP) The results of the investigation into a Lonoke County deputys deadly shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a traffic stop have been handed over to prosecutors. In July, Phillips, a prosecutor from a district on the other side of the state, was assigned to handle the case. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. He's still driving on his way to the scene. King, 16 at the time, said the teens had previously used a coolant container to stop the truck from rolling back. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Got a tip? 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. Former Arkansas deputy Michael Davis was found guilty of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. Now that the trial has begun, Brittain's Aunt Mary Robertson is praying that that accountability happens in the coming days. 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, Newcomb 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 said he never heard any verbal cues from Davis until after the shots were fired. Five minutes into Rice's video, someone notes that Brittain is still breathing. Multiple Brittain family members rushed from the room as graphic images of the 17-year-old played out on a screen. While the verdict isn't something they agree with, the Brittain family said they do accept it. 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. Both are representing Brittains family. State Police say Hunter Britain, 17 was shot and killed by Sergeant Michael Davis. 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. 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. Davis, who was originally charged with felony manslaughter, fatally shot Brittain who was test-driving his truck after working on it all night. His press conference on Friday was brief and he refused to take questions. I was working from home. 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. As they were getting pulled over, King said they were laughing and thought it was funny because the truck was smoking. Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriffs office and have complained about the lack of information released. Brittain was transferred to a nearby hospital where he died from the gunshot wound. I dont want to jeopardize this case, its too important, he said. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. His attorney, Newcomb, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment. 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. A family photo of Hunter Brittain, a 17-year-old boy from Arkansas who was shot during a traffic stop, when an officer saw him reaching for a jug in the back of his truck. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. Wendy Lindsey, Hunters cousin, said in an interview shortly after the announcement on Friday that she was happy at least something was done. But she added that she didnt think the manslaughter charge for Davis was enough. Now whats going to happen? 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. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Every state, every locality, is different, Marque Heydari said. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. After Phillips announcement that a warrant would be issued for Davis arrest on Friday, the courtroom burst into cheers. [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. 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. Davis and King have said that Brittain jumped out of the truck as soon as he stopped for Davis. 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. After a short break, open arguments started around 2:30 p.m. They have also pushed for state laws that would require officers to have their body cameras on their entire shift. 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. Both were lawyers in George Floyd's murder case. 1, we dont have situations like this very often, he said. Graham filed the motion for a special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The teen didnt respond to verbal commands given by the deputy, Necomb said. The last witness called in by prosecution was Davis' former boss, Sheriff John Staley, who told the jury that Davis had issues with turning on his body camera in the past. I never touched it, Graham said when asked about the file. Im his grandmother. 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. 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. Honestly, I try to do the right thing. We hope that the jury can see the things that we see," she said. He said Davis gave verbal commands directing Brittain stay in the vehicle. How much help are American volunteers in Ukraine? The witness said that Davis was in compliance with his training. The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Reverend Al Sharpton said at a eulogy for Mr Brittain. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. On Rice's footage, crime tape starts to go up as he gets Brittain's name from King. When asked for more information, such as the number of times Davis shot Brittain, Shantea Nelson, office manager in the Pulaski County coroners office, said that a state medical examiners autopsy report would have more information than a coroners report. 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.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Due to that failure, I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the sheriff said in a video statement on Facebook. 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. Jury deliberations lasted less than three hours. Davis claimed he didn't realize he didn't turn on his body camera until after the shots were fired. 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. attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders. An ambulance arrives on the scene at 14 minutes after "shots fired" went across the radio. Crump previously released a statement that Brittain was shot three times by Lonoke County sheriffs Sgt. 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. He has not responded to numerous emails requesting updates on the investigation, including a message sent Wednesday. "[It's] going to cost him $15,000 to go home and be with his family, while we're at a loss. Brittain was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop . "Why'd he hop out of the truck and grab that? "I was hoping for a not guilty verdict on both charges. Rice's video also starts right before "shots fired" transmits across his radio. I do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone conversation last week. 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. 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hunter brittain arkansas shooting