Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and Devon M. Jacob issued the following statement on the conviction of former sergeant Michael Davis in the fatal shooting of Hunter Brittain.
“The jury spoke clearly today when it found former Lonoke Deputy Sheriff Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide and gave him the maximum sentence that could be provided under the law. The jury’s decision is a declaration that an Arkansas law enforcement officer, in full uniform, unlawfully killed Hunter Brittain. The family and legal team will now focus on how a law enforcement officer who was supposed to be taking mental health medication but who had not done so for approximately 12 days was permitted to prowl the streets, in uniform, with a gun. Hunter deserved to be protected from Davis by Sheriff John Staley, who failed to provide that protection. And when the Sheriff had an opportunity to own his conduct that resulted in Davis having the opportunity to unlawfully kill a child, he did not do so. Instead, he fired Davis for not recording the crime, instead of for committing the crime. Hunter deserved better. The public deserves better. Staley should resign immediately or be set aside by the voters.”
