Latest news with #StateAttorneysOffice
Yahoo
4 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
Reuters
4 days ago
- Reuters
Prosecutors say Florida deputy who punched Black man at traffic stop did not commit crime
WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - A Florida deputy who punched a Black man at a February traffic stop did not commit a crime, prosecutors said in a report, opens new tab on an incident that was condemned by civil rights groups. A video of the incident showed officer D. Bowers punching William McNeil Jr., 22, who recorded the clip. It went viral in July when the video was posted online. Other officers threw the Black man to the ground and surrounded him during the traffic stop. "Officer Bowers conducted a lawful traffic stop and gave McNeil 12 individual lawful commands, which McNeil refused to obey," the report released by the State Attorney's Office for the 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida said. The report was dated Wednesday. McNeil "created a dangerous situation for himself and law enforcement," the report from prosecutors added. McNeil recorded the video as he sat in the driver's seat of his car after deputies pulled him over. In the video, he asked to speak to supervisors and questioned why he was stopped. An officer then smashed the driver's side window, ordered McNeil to exit the car, and hit him in his face. Another officer pulled him from the vehicle and threw him to the ground as other deputies surrounded him. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said in July that the public should not rush to judgment and that officers asked McNeil several times to come out of his vehicle. McNeil was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, marijuana possession, driving with a suspended license, not wearing a seatbelt, and not using headlights in bad weather. He was sentenced to and served two days in jail, ABC News reported. Bowers had said McNeil was reaching toward an area where there was a knife. McNeil's attorneys - lawyers Ben Crump and Harry Daniels - said their client was never combative. McNeil's lawyers criticized the decision not to pursue criminal charges and called on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate. Civil rights group Black Lives Matter also condemned the decision not to pursue charges and said the viral video showed police brutality.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Washington Post
Prosecutors clear Florida deputy in arrest of a Black man punched and dragged from his car
Prosecutors will take 'no further action' against a Florida sheriff's deputy in the arrest of a Black college student pulled from his car and beaten by officers during a February traffic stop. The actions of Officer D. Bowers of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office did not constitute a crime, according to an investigative report released by the State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
The Sun
25-07-2025
- The Sun
Three Brit tourists arrested in Croatia for ‘raping local woman in planned attack' facing up to 10 years behind bars
THREE British tourists have been arrested in Croatia on suspicion of raping a 28-year-old woman. The men face up to ten years in prison with cops fearing the alleged hotel attack may have been planned out. 3 3 Police in the Adriatic port of Split have accused the Brits of raping the local Croatian girl in a local hotel by the sea. A report was filed to cops shortly after 7am on Thursday. A criminal investigation was launched as one of the suspects was swiftly detained at the scene. The two others were found at a seperate location shortly after. Police now believe the men could have planned out the alleged rape after they were interrogated by the State Attorney's Office. They risk spending between six months or up to 10 years behind bars, according to Croatian laws. If they are found guilty of premeditating the alleged attack, the trio could face the maximum punishment. The men have been ordered to spend one month in custody as investigations continue. It has been revealed that two out of three of the detained Brits have the roots in Kosovo. It follows travel guidance sent out to Brits in 2023 which warned about rapist taxi drivers in Split. The British Foreign Office issued the alert following the rape of a 23-year-old woman and reports of other sex attacks in the city. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned: 'There have been reports of sexual assaults in taxis or Ubers in Croatia. "To reduce risk and help prevent potential assaults you can: Take a photo of the inside, where the number of the taxi is visible, and send to a friend or someone else Share your ride status on the Uber app." 3
