JONESBORO, Ark. — A shocking video that resulted in the immediate termination of a Jonesboro police officer last week will be investigated by the Arkansas State Police (ASP).
Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Hagood told NEA Report on Friday that she had requested ASP open an investigation into the violent video showing then-Officer Joseph Harris repeatedly punching and elbowing a handcuffed prisoner, Billy Coram, in the back of Harris’ patrol vehicle.
Hagood said her office is patiently waiting for the investigation to be completed. She added that her office will make charging decisions as quickly as possible.
Harris was fired on August 9, shortly before JPD released the video above. The video was not requested and was released unprompted by JPD in an effort toward transparency. However, many have asked why the officer has not faced charges when it appears clear to many, including the police chief, that a crime was committed on the video.
Police Chief Rick Elliott told a reporter last week that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had opened a case into the incident. The FBI office in Little Rock was handling their investigation.
While state authorities will determine what state laws were violated, the FBI can bring federal civil rights violation charges in cases of excessive force. As a result, Harris could face charges in both state and federal criminal cases.
Two former Arkansas law enforcement officers were charged by federal authorities after a similarly disturbing video showed a man being beaten by police during his arrest in 2022 in Mulberry. This week, the Arkansas Times reported that former Crawford County sheriff’s deputies Levi White and Zachary King will be sentenced on October 10.
King pleaded guilty to a non-felony count of deprivation of rights under color of the law. He faces up to one year in federal prison. Meanwhile, White pleaded guilty to a felony count of deprivation of rights under the color of the law. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison. (source)
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I believe an outside investigation is warranted but has there been an outside investigation an another incident of a JPD officer repeatedly involved in improper behavior and finally maiming and permanently crippling an innocent motorist while engaging in such behavior? Would the site management consider pinning that one in the ‘Continuing Coverage’ section? That was more egregious than this guy beating up a suspect – bad as that was. Or is this just damage control with an election coming up?