Fairfax police officer found not guilty in 2020 stun gun charges | Crime & Police

A jury has discovered a Fairfax County police officer not responsible on three assault and battery counts over a June 2020 incident during which he used his stun gun whereas responding to a name within the Mount Vernon space.

Officer Tyler Timberlake was cleared of misdemeanor assault and battery prices Friday pressed by a grand jury for utilizing a stun gun on Lamonta Gladney, a Black man, on June 5, 2020, within the Gum Springs neighborhood.

In the course of the incident, one other officer’s physique digital camera confirmed Timberlake, who’s white, utilizing a stun gun on Gladney a number of instances and utilizing his knees to pin Gladney to the bottom. Timberlake additionally punched him behind the pinnacle as Gladney cried out, The Related Press reported.

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Legal professional Steve Descano stated he was dissatisfied within the verdict.

“Whereas I’m dissatisfied within the consequence of the trial, I’m not shocked,” Descano stated in an announcement.

“It’s notoriously onerous to prosecute a case like this, however my commonplace of prosecuting a case isn’t whether or not it’s straightforward or onerous. My commonplace is doing what I feel is true to carry individuals, together with regulation enforcement, accountable for his or her actions.”

Digital camera footage launched by the Fairfax County Police Division in 2020 confirmed Timberlake making an attempt to talk with Gladney, who appeared disoriented, about whether or not he wanted an ambulance.

An aiding officer reported over his radio that the person, later recognized as Gladney, was strolling round in the midst of the road and was audibly rambling. Gladney instructed a medical technician that he wished to detox.

Information shops that coated the trial reported that Gladney had PCP in his system, in line with drug assessments. Brandon Shapiro, Timberlake’s lawyer, stated his consumer had been concerned in a number of arrests for PCP and “acknowledged it immediately,” The Related Press reported.

Gladney later appeared to return towards Timberlake from behind the ambulance and is seen on video being surprised.

In a information convention following the incident, then-police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. stated Timberlake’s actions violated the division’s use-of-force coverage. Timberlake, together with the opposite responding officers, had been positioned on administrative depart pending court docket proceedings.

Roessler’s criticism prompted the Fairfax Fraternal Order of Police to name for Roessler’s resignation.

The present Fairfax County police chief, Kevin Davis, stated in a written assertion to The Related Press after the decision that he respects the jury’s choice and the division will now work to conclude its inner investigation.

“True justice goes past anybody case. True justice can be achieved when my Black and brown neighbors don’t should concern for his or her well-being once they depart their houses,” Descano added. “Till that day turns into a actuality, the work continues.”

Gladney has filed a civil go well with in opposition to Timberlake in federal court docket.

WTOP’s Scott Gelman and Neal Augenstein and The Related Press contributed to this report.