Florida Prosecutors Clear Deputy of Wrongdoing in Violent Arrest of Black College Student, Sparking Outrage and Calls for Federal Investigation

The State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida has determined that no criminal charges will be filed against Deputy D. Bowers of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, in relation to the arrest and subsequent altercation with a Black college student during a traffic stop in February.

The office’s investigative report, released on Wednesday, stated that the actions of Deputy Bowers did not constitute a crime. The incident gained widespread attention following the release of cell phone footage showing officers physically assaulting William McNeil, who was pulled from his car during the traffic stop.

In response to the report, attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, representing McNeil, described it as an attempt to justify the actions of Deputy Bowers and the other officers involved after the fact. Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney known for representing victims of police brutality and vigilante violence, has previously criticized the findings that no criminal wrongdoing occurred, citing McNeil’s calm demeanor in contrast to the escalating violence displayed by the trained officers.

According to the investigative memo, Deputy Bowers stopped McNeil for failing to turn on his headlights and for not wearing a seatbelt. The stop took place outside a house that Deputy Bowers was surveilling due to suspected drug activity.

Based on the review of officer body camera footage, interviews with the officers involved, and statements from McNeil, prosecutors found that Deputy Bowers issued a dozen lawful commands, which McNeil disregarded. After being pulled over, McNeil questioned the stop and refused to provide his license and registration. Despite initially keeping his car door open during conversation with an officer, he later closed it and appeared to lock it for approximately three minutes before the officers forcibly removed him, as depicted in the video footage.

The report emphasized that the officers’ body-worn camera footage provided necessary context for events preceding, surrounding, and following McNeil’s arrest. The legal team representing McNeil has announced their intention to request an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into this incident and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.