William McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old Florida man, turned the middle of nationwide dialog earlier this 12 months. On the time, a viral video confirmed a Jacksonville police officer punching him within the face throughout a site visitors cease. The disturbing footage shortly gained traction throughout social media, elevating questions on extreme pressure and police accountability. Now, months later, prosecutors have made their resolution—and regardless of public outrage, the officer concerned is not going to face any legal fees.
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What Occurred To William McNeil Jr.?
McNeil’s video of the February nineteenth site visitors cease shortly unfold on-line in July, exhibiting the officer—recognized as D. Bowers—smashing his window, putting 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 finally.”
Why Had been Costs 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 automobile. The report additionally said that the automobile 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 means of, utilizing pressure to detain him. The report additionally famous that drug paraphernalia and a big serrated knife have been discovered at McNeil’s toes in the course of the arrest.
Social Media Reacts To The Choice
As quickly because the information hit, people sprinted to The Shade Room remark part with no time wasted. Some customers stated they weren’t shocked in any respect, pointing to the state of the nation and the way instances like this hold repeating. Others have been hoping McNeil secures a significant bag from a civil lawsuit, whereas just a few argued that the scenario might’ve been prevented if he had simply complied.
One Instagram consumer @christinamrice wrote, “Whew I hope that civil lawsuit is HEFTY!!“
And, Instagram consumer @been_fuckin_pretty shared, “Look who’s in workplace. Yall actually stunned by now?“
This Instagram consumer @theelifeofshanna stated, “Such a end result be the explanation why folks crash out . However I digress…..“
Then, Instagram consumer @deonahustle commented, “Florida is WILD.“
In the meantime, Instagram consumer @mr_serve_on stated, “Not sayin he shoulda obtained punched however they gave that mane hella probabilities to get out the automobile.“
Whereas, Instagram consumer @mixedmadness92 wrote, “In order that excuses an officer punching anyone 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 group, 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 stated on Wednesday.
RELATED: Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace Investigating After Site visitors Cease Leaves 22-12 months-Previous With Chipped Tooth & 9 Lip Stitches (VIDEO)
