Florida officer who punched driver in violent traffic stop cleared by prosecutors
The State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida announced on Aug. 14 that they will take "no further action" against Officer Donald Bowers, who could be seen on video smashing the window of a driver and punching him in the head.
Prosecutors concluded that Bowers' use of force was justified, saying the driver, 22-year-old William McNeil Jr., had refused to get out of the car despite repeated warnings and orders to do so. In a 16-page investigative report, the state attorney's office said McNeil "created a dangerous situation for himself and law enforcement."
McNeil's lawyers, Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, said prosecutors did not interview McNeil and ignorred his multiple injuries, including a chipped tooth and a concussion. They also said they will request the Department of Justice to investigate the incident and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
"The Investigative Memo from the State Attorney's Office from the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida is little more than an attempt to justify the actions of Officer Bowers and his fellow officers after the fact," McNeil's attorneys said in a joint statement.
How did the violent traffic stop unfold?
The Feb. 19 traffic stop began when Bowers pulled over McNeil, a college student, for not wearing a seatbelt and a headlight violation. The investigative memo also said McNeil's SUV was spotted earlier at a house being surveilled for "drug activity."
After he was pulled over, McNeil locked himself in his vehicle, refused commands to step out of the SUV and asked to speak with a supervisor, body camera videos show. After several warnings, Bowers smashed McNeil's window and struck him in the head. McNeil was pulled out of the car and officers continued to strike him as he was brought to the ground.
The investigative report included details from an interview with Bowers in which he described the punch as "a distractionary blow," a tactic learned during his time as a narcotics officer.
McNeil's lawyers said the language used in the report excused what they believe was "unlawful" use of force.
In a search of McNeil and his SUV, officers found a knife as well as marijuana, according to the sheriff's office. McNeil pleaded guilty to resisting an officer without violence and driving with a suspended license, court records show. Charges of marijuana possession and multiple traffic violations were dismissed.
What has McNeil said about his encounter with police?
McNeil and his family have spoken out about the violent traffic stop and have called for accountability.
"That day, I just really wanted to know why I was getting pulled over, and why I needed to step out of the car," McNeil said at a news conference in July. "I know I didn't do nothing wrong. I was really just scared, and that's it."
At the same news conference, his stepfather Alton Solomon said he knows how his son felt that day because something similar happened to him when he was the same age.
"To see that is a hurt feeling," he said through tears.
Since the traffic stop gained national attention, McNeil has received financial support. A GoFundMe that he created to cover medical expenses and legal fees has racked up over $21,000, according to the fundraiser's webpage.
Contributing: Scott Butler, The Florida Times-Union
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida officer won't face charges in violent traffic stop
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