Watch the full news conference below:
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump, State Representative Antonio Parkinson, and the family of Jarveon Hudspeth, a 21-year-old who was shot and killed by a Shelby County deputy, called for the release of video of the incident.
A news conference was held at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church Monday to call for Sheriff Floyd Bonner and the sheriff’s office to release the deputy’s bodycam and sheriff’s car dashcam.
Hudspeth was shot and killed by a Sheriff County Sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop on June 24 in a Raleigh neighborhood. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the deputy was dragged by Hudspeth’s car for almost 100 yards before the deputy fatally shot him.
The deputy involved in the case is receiving treatment following surgeries for his injuries.
Hudspeth’s mother Charlotte Hagget was emotional when she spoke about the questions she now has.
“I just want to know what happened to him that Saturday when he walked out that door at 8:30 in the morning and he never returned home, cries,” Hagget said.
Hudspeth was described as a hardworking young man who never had any trouble. Crump said he was only a street away from his home when he was killed.
Crump questioned law enforcement’s discretion regarding when to release body camera footage.
“And then when something happens and the very reason we have the taxpayers pay these hundreds of thousands of dollars for video on the officers so we can see what happened, the first thing they do is come up with excuse, after excuse, after excuse as to why we can’t see the video,” he said.
Hudspeth’s mother said she wasn’t notified her son was killed until the day after the incident. When he never came home, she called the hospitals and the sheriff’s office. They said they would send someone to fill out a missing persons report, but an hour later someone called to tell her Jarveon had been in an accident and didn’t make it.
“I sit on that sofa every day waiting for him to come through the door and I know he’s never coming back,” Hagget said.
Now, they’re calling for communication with the sheriff’s office.
“How many more Memphis? How many more?” Crump asked.
In a statement, Sheriff Floyd Bonner
We reached out to the sheriff’s office for a response in relation to calls to release the video and if Sheriff Bonner plans to meet with the family.
Sheriff Bonner released a statement Monday afternoon, saying the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case and condemns Crump’s statements as a “cheap political stunt.”
“The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is handling the investigation into the death of Jarveon Hudspeth. All information regarding the case, including notifications to the next of kin, would be through that agency.
It has come to my attention that specific individuals, including Attorney Ben Crump, have made inciting claims regarding releasing video evidence related to this active investigation.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will continue to follow the law as set forth by the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Legislature, and the Courts regarding the release of evidence while there is an active investigation or prosecution.
I strongly condemn these cheap political stunts aimed at manipulating public opinion and causing distress for all involved.“
My primary focus remains on protecting the integrity of this investigation and providing support to my deputy, who is still recovering from serious injuries.“
Attorney Crump also planned to address the City of Memphis’ new motion to dismiss the Nichols family lawsuit against the city for the death of Tyre Nichols during the news conference.
