The Pulaski Cty Sheriff Presented 43 Minutes of Video from Terence Caffey's Arrest but Omitted the Part Where 1 Cop Held his Neck while Another Put a Knee in His Back Moments Before He Died
/From [HERE] A controversial video was released last month by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office about the arrest of Terence Caffey at the Movie Tavern theater last December.
Family members of Caffey said when the video was released, authorities didn't show all of the video. They believe more than 10 months ago, Caffey took his last breath at the movie theater while in police custody.
During a press conference on Wednesday, you can hear chants of "Justice for Terence Caffey" throughout the room. National civil rights attorney Ben Crump and his legal team showed unreleased video to the public for the first time.
According to Crump's legal team, the nearly 43 minute video released by PCSO never showed an officer holding their hand on Caffey's neck while another placed their knee on his back. Nearly four minutes later from that vantage point, officers back Caffey up and place him into a squad car. Crump believes at this point Caffey was no longer alive.
"Our medical examiner believes he's dead at that point, and they did put him in the car," Crump said. "They put him in the car and its like no problem they him stay there and they all just kickin it, talking like no problem at all. Finally, one of the officers goes to check in the back of the police car with their light and they say oh we got a problem. Maybe he wasn't just saying he can't breathe."
Crump's legal team said they believe the video they showed should've been included in last month's released and presented to a grand jury. Attorney Elizabeth White said the people of the community deserve to make the decision from themselves, not the Pulaski County prosecuting attorney.
"They made the decision not to even present the case to the grand jury, not to let the people of this city decide what happened to Terence Caffey and who is responsible," White said.
KATV reached out to Pulaski Count prosecuting attorney Larry Jegley for answers. He told KATV the case was not sent to a grand jury because the state's constitution allows the prosecuting attorney to decide criminal charges without presenting evidence to a grand jury. When asked why not one officer was criminally charged in Caffey's death he said, "The laws the law, the evidence is the evidence, and the investigation is the investigation and our ruling is our ruling,"
In a letter sent to Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins, Jegley states at no time did any officer use more physical force than is authorized by law to restrain Caffey. Here is the full letter below that was sent to Higgins by Jegley.
Caffey family member Nigel Caffey told KATV, this entire process has been deeply hurtful to their family. He said everyone involved needs to held responsible.
"He had a colostomy bag on face down, face down on with a colostomy bag, it's murder man, no other way you can put it," Nigel said.
According to Jegley's report, the medical examiner states Caffey died from a sickle cell crisis due to being restrained and struggling with officers. It also states Caffey suffered no other trauma that would've resulted in his death.
Another attorney on Crump's legal team, Kenneth Abbarno told KATV they were let down on the criminal side of the case that no officers would be charged. He said they are looking to hold everyone accountable through the civil justice system.
"It was ultimately ruled a homicide, we do not disagree with the ruling that this was a homicide in any way shape or form," Abbarno said.
Abbarno said Captain Mark Swagerty, Deputy Ryan Crancer, Deputy Antonio Swygart, and Deputy Ricky Wheeler were placed on administrative leave following the death of Caffey. According to PCSO the deputies have since returned to work.
Crump said the family is now asking the Department of Justice to open a federal civil rights investigation into Caffey's death.