JONESBORO, Ark. — Newly obtained video shows the events from August 8 in Jonesboro involving former officer Joseph Harris and inmate Billy Coram from the perspective of the deputy that ultimately reported Harris for using excessive force.
NEA Report obtained the video through a Freedom of Information Act request to the prosecutor’s office on Tuesday, August 20. The video begins with Deputy Chris Ditto walking up to Harris as Harris repeatedly strikes Coram in the backseat of his patrol unit. The deputy asks what is going on, and Harris responds that Coram was trying to choke himself. By the time the deputy gets to the other side of the vehicle, Harris has finished striking Coram and slams the door on his head.
The deputy returns to the other side of Harris’ patrol unit. Harris aggressively sticks his baton into the sternum of Coram, causing him to shout in pain. Harris then slams the door on Coram’s head for a second time.
After they arrive at the jail, Coram’s head is still stuck between the door and the seat. Ditto opens the door to let him loose. Coram, however, is incensed. He repeatedly states that he was attacked by Harris and that he is hurt. As they escort him into the booking area, Harris takes another swing at Coram over the heads of the deputies.
“He pulled over while I was in handcuffs and beat me in my fu*king head,” Coram said.
After several minutes securing Coram in a restraint chair, Deputy Ditto walks outside of the booking area and observes a conversation between Harris and another detention officer. Harris claims that the reason he punched Coram was because he was trying to choke himself. Harris mentions tension between JPD and the sheriff’s department.
A conversation at about 13:30 in the video shows Deputy Ditto informing another deputy of how Harris was repeatedly punching Coram, and how Harris tried to punch him again inside the booking area.
As deputies and jailers work to calm Coram down, who is still concerned he is going to die from a fentanyl overdose, the video concludes.
Both Arkansas State Police and the FBI Little Rock office are investigating the excessive force evident in the video and observed by Deputy Ditto.
NEA Report has several more Freedom of Information Act requests pending with the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office that are expected to be fulfilled on Wednesday. Check back for more coverage.
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The few corrupt, lying pieces of sh#t cops make em all stink….. That’s why I wouldn’t piss on a cop if he/she was on fire!!!
Why are some of them wearing coats in August?
The idea that just a few a bad apples is a joke