Attorneys for William McNeill Jr. said the 22-year-old suffered a broken teeth and a concussion during a violent traffic stop in Jacksonville, Florida.
See Jacksonville’s virus and controversial arrest of Jacksonville, bodycam footage
In a viral video of William McNeill’s traffic stop by Jacksonville police, officers smashed, punched, and dragged him out of his car.
The man who was pulled out of his car and beaten by a Florida police officer during a traffic stop for the virus, made his first comment on the case as his lawyers are seeking more accountability.
“That day, I really wanted to know why I was being pulled and why I had to get out of the car,” William McNeill Jr. told reporters about his February 19 arrest that recently gained traction online, sparking rage and multiple official reviews.
“I know nothing wrong. I was really scared. That’s all,” he added.
His comments come just days after Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters released body camera footage of the arrest and said he filmed McNeill’s cell phone footage – from inside his car, captured only a portion of the encounter, and didn’t provide a complete picture of what happened.
In multiple body cam videos, officers are seen attacking him multiple times after he destroys McNeill’s windows and question why he was pulled by locking himself inside the car.
The arrest officer said he stopped the university student due to a headlight and seat belt violation. McNeill resisted police without violence and pleaded guilty to driving and driving with license in connection with the February episode, court records show.
Waters said an internal review of the officer’s actions is ongoing. DJ Bowers, the officer who smashed McNeil’s windows and attacked him at least twice, was placed on administrative leave until the agency’s review results were obtained. Another criminal investigation conducted by local prosecutors led to officers chasing the misconduct, Waters said.
Violent arrest left McNeil with broken teeth and concussion
Talk about William McNeill Jr.’s controversial arrest of Jacksonville
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump was standing by William McNeill Jr. as he spoke about the traffic stops with Jacksonville police that led to his arrest.
At a July 23rd press conference, McNeill’s lawyer said the university student was permanently injured in the arrest. McNeil also maintained a concussion and has undergone medical evaluation, said civil rights attorney Harry Daniels.
Ben Crump, also representing McNeal, said police were “slamming their head on concrete while they were handcuffing them.” He added, “This is not a good police force. You can’t say this is a good police force.”
The lawyers have called on the sheriff’s office to fire officers who attacked McNeill at least twice, and said they are seeking legal action.
Family talks about McNeill’s arrest
McNeill’s mother, Latoya Solomon, and his stepfather, Alton Solomon, also appeared at the press conference and looked emotional when talking about the incident.
Alton Solomon said he knew how his son felt because something similar happened to him when he was the same age.
“That’s what hurts,” he said in tears.
Latoya Solomon said he couldn’t watch the entire video at first and only watched everything recently.
“I thank God for protecting him,” she said.
Contributor: Scott Butler and Steve Patterson, Jacksonville Florida Times Union
