William McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old Florida man, turned the middle of nationwide dialog earlier this yr. On the time, a viral video confirmed a Jacksonville police officer punching him within the face throughout a site visitors cease. The disturbing footage rapidly gained traction throughout social media, elevating questions on extreme power and police accountability. Now, months later, prosecutors have made their resolution—and regardless of public outrage, the officer concerned won’t face any felony fees.
RELATED: Will McNeil Jr. Says He Was “Actually Scared” As Social Media Compares His Viral Video To Jacksonville Officer Physique Cam Footage (UPDATES)
What Occurred To William McNeil Jr.?
McNeil’s video of the February nineteenth site visitors cease rapidly unfold on-line in July, displaying the officer—recognized as D. Bowers—smashing his window, hanging him within the face, and dragging him to the bottom. McNeil later shared the aftermath on Instagram, revealing a chipped tooth, stitches in his mouth, and a concussion. In his caption, he wrote, “I’m not mentally healed from this however I needed to get the phrase out ultimately.”
Why Had been Fees Cleared For The Officer?
Regardless of the outcry, prosecutors concluded that Officer Bowers had not dedicated any crimes, citing bodycam footage that allegedly confirmed McNeil ignoring 12 lawful instructions to exit the car. The report additionally acknowledged that the car was parked at a location below surveillance for drug exercise, and that after refusing to exit, McNeil locked his doorways and requested to talk with a supervisor. When McNeil continued to disregard orders, the officer warned he would break the window—earlier than following by way of, utilizing power to detain him. The report additionally famous that drug paraphernalia and a big serrated knife have been discovered at McNeil’s ft in the course of the arrest.
Social Media Reacts To The Choice
As quickly because the information hit, of us sprinted to The Shade Room remark part with no time wasted. Some customers mentioned they weren’t shocked in any respect, pointing to the state of the nation and the way instances like this maintain repeating. Others have been hoping McNeil secures a serious bag from a civil lawsuit, whereas a couple of argued that the scenario might’ve been averted if he had simply complied.
One Instagram person @christinamrice wrote, “Whew I hope that civil lawsuit is HEFTY!!“
And, Instagram person @been_fuckin_pretty shared, “Look who’s in workplace. Yall actually shocked by now?“
This Instagram person @theelifeofshanna mentioned, “One of these end result be the rationale why folks crash out . However I digress…..“
Then, Instagram person @deonahustle commented, “Florida is WILD.“
In the meantime, Instagram person @mr_serve_on mentioned, “Not sayin he shoulda acquired punched however they gave that mane hella probabilities to get out the automobile.“
Whereas, Instagram person @mixedmadness92 wrote, “In order that excuses an officer punching someone within the face? But when somebody punches a cop have been cooked“
Extra Particulars On William McNeil Jr’s Case
McNeil in the end pleaded responsible to resisting an officer and driving with a suspended license. Nevertheless, his authorized workforce, together with civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, isn’t backing down.
“Since they’re unwilling to hunt justice, we must request that the U.S. Division of Justice examine this incident and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace,” they mentioned on Wednesday.
