Grand Jury Clears Officers in Fatal Confrontation: Mobile, Ala. A grand jury has cleared two police officers of any criminal wrongdoing in the fatal confrontation with 36-year-old Jawan Jay Dallas. The incident occurred on July 2 when Dallas was stunned twice with a Taser gun at Planation Mobile Home Park. Police Chief Paul Prine stated that officers were responding to an attempted break-in at the trailer park, and Dallas initiated a physical altercation, reaching for the officers Taser.
Dallas’ death triggered widespread complaints about police conduct, the citys body camera policy, and other concerns. Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced that, after a thorough investigation, the grand jury found the officers not criminally responsible. Blackwood explained that Dallas had serious underlying medical issues exacerbated by drug use, and the struggle with police further worsened his condition.
A representative of the Dallas family legal team mentioned that they had not yet reviewed the grand jury findings and refrained from commenting. Robert Clopton, president of the Mobile County branch of the NAACP, expressed disappointment, feeling that an injustice had occurred.
Blackwood stated that the medical examiner’s findings revealed the Taser shots did not contribute to Dallas death. The grand jury examined the autopsy report, toxicology examination, 911 calls, and heard from four witnesses, including a key witness who was with Dallas on the day of the incident.
The family, demanding to see police body camera footage for months, will now have access, as the grand jury investigation concludes. City spokesman Jason Johnson mentioned that coordination with Christine Dallas, Jawan’s mother, is ongoing for the family to watch the video. The family has called for a Justice Department investigation and the public release of the footage.
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According to the official account, police chased Dallas after he ran when officers responded to a burglary complaint. They claim the Taser was used a second time when the first attempt had no impact, and Dallas attempted to grab the device. However, conflicting accounts from the mobile home park manager and residents challenge this version. Synthetic cannabinoids and amphetamine found in Dallas system were cited as exacerbating his underlying medical conditions.
While the Dallas family will have access to the body camera footage, it won’t be made public, citing Alabama law that deems such footage not a public record.