Prosecutors Clear Florida Officer Who Punched Black College Student William McNeil During Traffic Stop

Prosecutors Clear Florida Officer Who Punched Black College Student William McNeil During Traffic Stop

Prosecutors in Florida say they will take “no further action” against Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer D. Bowers, who was captured on video punching and dragging Black college student William McNeil from his car during a February traffic stop.

The State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit released an investigative memo Wednesday (Aug. 12) stating Bowers’ actions did not constitute a crime. The office argued the viral cell phone footage was “incomplete in scope” and that Bowers’ use of force was justified.

 

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Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing McNeil alongside attorney Harry Daniels, blasted the report as “little more than an attempt to justify the actions of Officer Bowers and his fellow officers after the fact.”

If you recall, Bowers stopped McNeil for failing to turn on his headlights and wear his seatbelt after seeing his SUV parked outside a house under surveillance for “dr*g activity.” Prosecutors said body cam footage showed Bowers giving McNeil a dozen “lawful commands,” which he refused before officers forcibly removed him.

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