JONESBORO, Ark. — The Jonesboro Police Department and its police chief are denying any wrong-doing in the August beating of Billy Coram by a now-fired officer, a press release sent out on Wednesday said.
Below is the full release:
Today, the City of Jonesboro and Chief of Police Rick Elliott filed an answer to a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by Billy Coram regarding the Aug. 8, 2024, incident involving former Jonesboro Police Officer Joseph Tucker Harris. The City and Chief Elliott, represented by Jenna Adams and Gabrielle Gibson of the Arkansas Municipal League, specifically denied that they engaged in any wrongdoing.
“Harris’s conduct violated our police department’s policies, practices, and training; as a result, he was immediately terminated and recommended for decertification as a law enforcement officer,” said Chief Rick Elliott.
The Jonesboro Police Department continues to fully cooperate with the Arkansas State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training as Harris’s conduct is investigated criminally and his Arkansas law enforcement certification is called into question.
As the lawsuit progresses, the City and Chief Elliott are prepared to diligently litigate and defend their case, reaffirming their commitment to upholding professional policing and public safety for the Jonesboro community.
Coram is represented by Mike Laux of the Laux Law Group and Michael Kiel Kaiser of Lassiter & Cassinelli. They announced on Tuesday, Sept. 24 they were filing a lawsuit on behalf of their client, alleging 4th Amendment violations.
Ex-Jonesboro officer Joseph Tucker Harris is the primary defendant and the cause of the lawsuit, with the complaint alleging he violated Coram’s constitutional rights on August 8. Video of the incident showed Harris punch and elbow Coram ten times in a row while Coram was restrained and not fighting. Harris then slammed the door on Coram’s head twice and took another swing at him at the jail, prompting jailers to intervene.
The City of Jonesboro and JPD Chief Rick Elliott are also defendants in the lawsuit, according to K8. Part of the lawsuit alleges that Harris’s behavior were part of a pattern at JPD.
KAIT: Billy Coram Files Excessive Force Lawsuit Against JPD, Former Officer
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Your defense is that you fired the bad cop? You HIRED him and knew that he was a loose cannon. Like the other cop that – driving recklessly while NOT performing his duties – nearly killed a citizen and left her permanently crippled. People of Jonesboro – do you want you city government to not only hire bad cops but fight tooth and nail to avoid financial liability for them? You might try a different mayor since you know the one you have is no good.
Hey sheep, vote copenhaver out of office!
Hope somebody finds that pasty pig and tattooes a slug deep in his brain. Subhuman deserves it