Following the release of a police incident report in connection to 17-year-old Kadarius Smith's death, civil rights attorney Ben Crump issued a statement saying the weapon referenced by police was never found.
Crump represents Smith’s mother, Kaychia Calvert.
On Monday, April 29, Leland city attorney Josh Bogen sent a redacted copy of the police chase incident report to the Clarion Ledger. The Leland Police Department report detailed a sequence of events that led to Smith being run over by a police cruiser and contained redactions as to not reveal the name of the officer involved.
According to the report, police responded to a call March 21 at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Davis Lane in reference to "two suspects outside of the residence with handguns."
The report states when police arrived, Smith took off running in a chase that began on foot and ended on Huddleston Street — roughly 0.3 miles away on-foot from Davis Lane.
Police said on Huddleston Street, Smith "ran out in front of" the officer who was driving the police unit.
More background on: Leland MS police report show details in the death of 17-year-old Kadarius Smith
According to the report, the officer "could not stop the patrol unit immediately," thus hitting Smith. The report does not state what part of Smith's body the officer struck.
Crump previously told the Clarion Ledger that Smith was run over from behind, leaving "police cruiser tire marks on his back." Smith later died at a hospital.
In response to these new details, Crump wrote in a statement how it is important to look "carefully at the facts in this case."
“The police incident report states twice that officers were responding to claims that a juvenile, not specifically Kadarius, had a handgun. Nowhere in the police incident report does it state that a handgun was recovered from the scene. This child was run over by the police and lost his life – that is what we know for sure," Crump said in the statement.
On April 16, Crump and the family of the deceased 17-year-old demanded for police to release camera footage of the teen's death, but Bogen told the Clarion Ledger on April 16, there is no footage of the late March incident .
A glimpse into Kadarius Smith: Family of MS teen allegedly 'run over,' 'killed' by Leland police demands release of video
Bogen said there is no dashcam footage, and the officer involved was not wearing a body cam.
On April 22, the Clarion Ledger filed a public records request seeking documents for the most recent copy of Leland Police Department's handbook or guidelines that includes the police department's policies on the use of body worn cameras and dashcams.
Bogen issued a statement to the Clarion Ledger on April 24 via email writing there are "no written policies" in the police handbook related to dash or body cams.
Bogen also wrote he was advised the Leland Police Department "did not have any 'policies' or 'procedures' in place" for dash or body cams in 2024 or in previous years.
Crump made reference to the dash and body cam footage in his Wednesday statement writing, “Kadarius’ death exemplifies the paramount importance of body cameras for every single officer on duty and dash cameras for every single police-issued vehicle patrolling our communities."
Autopsy ordered on Dau Mabil: Hinds County judge issues order for independent autopsy in death of Dau Mabil
"In the year 2024, to not have body or dash camera technology in place is irresponsible and speaks to a widespread cultural problem in these departments," Crump said.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 'Irresponsible': Attorney Crump reacts to Leland police report in death of teen 'run over'
Most Popular
Comments / 0