Latest news with #FourthJudicialCircuit
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Florida officer who punched driver in violent traffic stop cleared by prosecutors
Prosecutors in Florida cleared an officer who was involved in a violent traffic stop that gained national attention when a video of the encounter went viral online, sparking outrage and several official reviews. 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
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fallen Jacksonville Corrections Officer Brad McNew honored
On Wednesday, State Attorney Melissa Nelson held her office's 7th annual Daniel E. Watts Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers Awards. The awards are given every year to recognize the sacrifice and dedication of outstanding law enforcement officers in Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit. Twelve awards were presented during the ceremony. Among those honored this year was Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Corrections Officer Brad McNew, who was shot and killed while he was off duty late last year. 'There is no one more deserving of this award,' Nelson said. McNew was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor Award for his sacrifice. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] In October 2024, McNew was off the clock when he intervened in a domestic dispute between a man and a woman at a Love's gas station near Jacksonville International Airport. As he tried to offer help and de-escalate the dispute, JSO said McNew was shot and killed by the man involved. Officers arrested Demaurea Grant in North Carolina shortly after. Just this week, Grant pleaded not guilty, and prosecutors said they are seeking the death penalty. McNew's wife and son accepted the award on his behalf. Sheriff T.K. Waters said McNew leaves behind a legacy of true public service. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'What it's like to be a public servant all day, every day. No matter what you're doing, stepping in, intervening, trying to help people even when you don't have to,' Waters said. Below is the full list of awards that were presented during the event: Citizen & Volunteer Partnership Award K-9 Valor Award 3x Investigative Excellence Award Prosecutorial Award State Attorney Award Lifesaving Award Bravery Award Meritorious Service Award Medal of Valor Award Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Miami Herald
25-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Wife accuses husband of having affair, then he kills her, Florida officials say
A man having an affair got in a fight with his wife on Thanksgiving, then he sat on her chest and held her down until she died, Florida authorities said. Now, a jury has convicted 45-year-old Eugene Anderson of manslaughter, the State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit announced April 24. Anderson's attorney declined to comment to McClatchy News. Anderson got into an argument with his sister on Thanksgiving 2022 over a picture of him that was posted on Facebook, and his mother asked him to leave, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office wrote in an arrest affidavit. Velvet Anderson took her husband home and planned to come back to the dinner afterward, police said. Ring camera footage showed the woman outside her home with her neighbor, talking and laughing, before she went back to the family gathering, according to officers. Eugene Anderson said when his wife got home again, she tried to fight him and armed herself with a butter knife, police wrote. He said he grabbed her from behind, brought her down to the floor and straddled her with her face down, police said. He told officers she was able to breathe and move, then she went to sleep. The husband wrapped the Ring camera in a towel and threw it in the trash, then called police in the afternoon, according to authorities. A medical examiner ruled Velvet Anderson's cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation by chest compression. Investigators looked through Velvet and Eugene Anderson's cellphones and found text messages between them 'discussing cheating,' as well as over 100 deleted messages and calls 'between him and a woman he had an affair with,' authorities said. Anderson was arrested nearly a year later when he was accused of choking a woman he was dating, records show.
