Charges have been dropped against 16-year-old Jahmal Hudson, whose videotaped arrest, tasing and beating at a local apartment complex pool sparked outrage in the community. However, the incident is still under investigation.
In addition to an internal affairs review by the Lakeland Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is now looking at it as a possible civil rights violation.
Meanwhile, LPD has said it will eventually release bodycam footage of the incident — but not until the internal investigation is complete. The officers involved, Christopher McKee and Jose Diaz-Acosta, are working on modified-duty status until then.
Charges dropped: Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor and State Attorney spokesman Jacob Orr confirmed on Friday morning that the three charges against Hudson were dropped:
- Trespassing and failing to leave a property upon an owner’s request, a misdemeanor.
- Battery on a law enforcement officer, a third-degree felony.
- Resisting an officer with violence, a third-degree felony.
FBI is investigating: Terry Coney, president of the NAACP Lakeland Branch, and Hudson’s mother, Ja’Tae Lewis, said they met Tuesday with two FBI agents who specialize in civil rights and police brutality.
The agents met with Lewis at her home. Coney’s meeting, at the Coleman-Bush Building, was also attended by Lakeland attorney Ken Glover and local activist Veronica Rountree.
“(It) was mostly informational,” Coney said. “They told us they would be doing an investigation, independent of the LPD Internal Affairs investigation.”
According to the business cards they gave to Coney, Special Agent Susana Mapu is from the FBI’s Tampa office while Torrance Slaughter is from the Orlando office. Both specialize in “civil rights, hate crimes and police brutality cases.”
Coney said the agents have agreed to speak with the NAACP on June 27 about the work they do in general. That meeting will be at the Coleman-Bush Building at 6:30 p.m.
Why LPD won’t release bodycam video yet: Bystander video shows both officers were wearing their department-issued body cameras, rolled out beginning in December 2022. The 250 cameras and two personnel to help maintain them cost the city $1.04 million annually.
LkldNow and other media outlets have repeatedly asked for the footage, but the department has declined until its investigation is complete, citing the state Police Officer’s Bill of Rights:
“The contents of the complaint and investigation shall remain confidential until such time as the employing law enforcement agency makes a final determination whether or not to issue a notice of disciplinary action consisting of suspension with loss of pay, demotion, or dismissal.”
Florida statute 112.532 — Law enforcement officers’ and correctional officers’ rights
In addition, a state law about complaints against law enforcement officers says evidence in those cases is exempt from Sunshine Laws until investigations are complete:
“All information obtained pursuant to the investigation by the agency of the complaint is confidential and exempt … until the investigation ceases to be active, or until the agency head or the agency head’s designee provides written notice to the officer who is the subject of the complaint, either personally or by mail, that the agency has” concluded the investigation.
Florida statute 112.533 (2)(a) — Receipt and processing of complaints
“‘I’m a big believer in the process and staying true to the process and keeping the investigation on track,” Taylor said Thursday evening. “I think it’s fair to the young man and fair to the officer, as well. If folks are going to be mad, they can be mad at me. Certainly the video is going to be available at the very end.”
“If folks are going to be mad, they can be mad at me. Certainly the video is going to be available at the very end.”
Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor
Precedent: In May 2023, when a 13-year-old shot a Lakeland Police officer, Taylor released dashboard and body camera video within 24 hours.
Taylor said Thursday that he makes decisions about video on a case-by-case basis.
“Obviously, one is a shooting and one is not, but I would argue that there’s just as much public interest either way,” Taylor said. “I’ve spoken with enough people. Trust me, it would be much easier if I released the video.”
Other agencies: LkldNow reached out to other area law enforcement agencies to ask about their policies.
- Volusia County — Andrew Gant, a spokesman for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, said they’ve had body cameras since 2016 and, “our media relations office regularly releases significant, relevant portions of body camera footage from noteworthy incidents and arrests.” But he said it depends on the circumstances. When officers are under an internal affairs investigation, Gant said, “body camera footage constitutes active criminal investigative information, which is exempt from disclosure.”
- Hillsborough County — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has had cameras since 2020. It also routinely releases footage but agreed that video of an officer under internal affairs investigation is exempt until the case concludes. “After any critical or significant incident … any (body-worn camera) recording that actually or potentially captured the incident may be designated … as ‘restricted’ to ensure no unauthorized viewing and to protect the integrity of any ensuing investigation,” HCSO spokeswoman Casey Minuto wrote in an email.
What’s next? LPD has until the end of November to complete the investigation.
Fork in the road : Taylor said this moment could be a turning point for Hudson, who has no juvenile record. The chief offered to talk with Hudson and his parents and arrange for the young man to be mentored by one of the many LPD officers who work with juveniles.
“I wish none of this had occurred — I wish we could’ve met under different circumstances,” Taylor said. “He may be a fine young man. I don’t know … I wish they would involve him with the Police Atheltic League program. I wish they’d bring him to some of the events the department has. I’m willing to sit down with mom, dad, whoever. They’ve got to be willing to participate as well.”
Taylor said he understands that some young people don’t want to have anything to do with law enforcement. But that can lead to problems.
“None of this would’ve happened if he had done what the officer had told him to do,” Taylor said. “The other young people who were there went home because they did what the officers told them. When an officer places you under arrest, you do not have the right to resist.”
Dreams of nursing: Hudson’s mother said she is not interested in meeting with Taylor or anyone at LPD, and her son will be spending the summer at home.
“I think that would be the safest thing to do,” she said, adding that he couldn’t attend a summer school program for classes he’s struggling in at Kathleen Senior High School because he was on home detention due to the arrest and charges.
She said Jahmal is doing better and his physical wounds are healing. Starting in August, he will be entering Kathleen’s certification program to become a certified nursing assistant. Following that, he would like to get a nursing degree from Polk State College.
Possible civil lawsuit: Lewis said the FBI agents came to her home this week and talked with her about their investigation. She has also retained an attorney, but didn’t want to say anything further until the investigation is completed.
Countering misinformation: At a rally last week where protestors called for the arrest of the officers, there was some misinformation about how long Hudson was tased. The video clearly shows that the electrical shock lasted about five seconds. Hudson regained control of his muscles as soon as the voltage stopped.
According to the manufacturer, TASER energy weapons work by firing two-pronged darts propelled by compressed nitrogen. The darts are tethered to insulated copper wire, which conducts electricity into a person’s body. When both darts hit, if the circuit is completed and maintained, muscles contract causing loss of voluntary muscle control. Tasers can deliver up to a five-second jolt.
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Chief Taylor says this never would have happened if the juvenile just listened to the police. Then why were the charges dropped? Your blaming the victim? The police violated his civil rights. If the police give a unlawful order you don’t have to listen to them. Sounds like that might have happened here since the charges were all dropped yet you blame the victim. You need to go.