A Florida sheriff's deputy accused of taping up a gas-filled biker during a botched arrest three years ago and starting a fire that burned more than 75 percent of the man's body has been acquitted of negligence charges.
According to local reports, on February 27, 2022, Barrett allegedly ran a red light, drove onto the sidewalk, and then sped into oncoming traffic before stopping to refuel at a Wawa gas station. Osceola County Deputy David Crawford allegedly tackled the victim, Jean Barrett, at a Wawa gas station.
Mr Crawford was seen on camera yelling at his partner to turn off the gas pump, causing Mr Barrett's bike to overturn and become covered in petrol.
Prosecutors said that's when Crawford pulled out the Taser and fired, causing flames to scorch Barrett from his neck to his ankles.
They charged the deputy with negligence for his actions. But on Friday, a jury declared him not guilty after a week-long trial. According to WESH 2 in Orlando.
According to the newspaper, the two sides argued during the trial, with the state arguing that Crawford's actions were dangerous and inappropriate, and the defense arguing that Crawford was simply doing his job. .
In a surprising move, Crawford took the stand in his own defense Thursday, saying he was afraid Barrett, then 26, would point a gun at him and that he intended to use it.
He also said Barreto, who was actually unarmed, would have hurt more people if he had fled.
But prosecutors accused the officer of escalating the situation by approaching the biker in a disorderly manner and argued that he also put others at risk.
“It doesn't take one guy running like a cowboy and tackling someone off a gas-filled motorcycle,” one prosecutor said in closing arguments. “The fact that he walked across that parking lot made this outcome predictable.”
The defense argued that Crawford did not actually fire the Taser, but that it spontaneously ignited when he tossed it to the side.
“All the witnesses, all the video conclusively shows that he did not intentionally fire the Taser,” Crawford's attorney said at the end of the trial.
When asked if he remembered the Taser going off when Crawford held it in his hand or after he threw it, the deputy said only, “I don't remember him turning off the safety.”
He also said he would not have done anything else during the arrest even though Barreto had severe second- and third-degree burns covering most of his body.
His lawyer, Mark Nejame, said at the time that the only parts of the body that were not burned were his masked face, gloved hands and feet.
“He barely survived,” his lawyer said, adding that Barrett had racked up $7 million in medical bills.
“Due to the amount of scar tissue and damage that has occurred to his body, his life will always be in danger,” he continued.
“If he was driving recklessly, we would charge him with reckless driving, but it's very unlikely that he would kill someone or set a fire,” he said. “We can't let law enforcement get away with it. They're supposed to be our protectors, not the ignitors.”
According to the network, defense attorneys argued that the flare-up was an accident and that Crawford had the right to pursue Barrett, who was traveling on Route 417 with a group of reckless bikers.
“We were convinced from the beginning that our client was not satisfied with these charges,” attorney Michael Barber said after the verdict. CNN reported.
“We're very pleased with the outcome we got here today. My client is relieved. I'm relieved. I'm very happy that the jury came to the right conclusion.”
Prosecutor Ryan Williams thanked the jury for their work and said, “It is up to the jury to determine whether a law enforcement officer's use of force was reasonable.”
Barreto initially faced a number of charges in the incident, including fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving and resisting an officer without violence, according to CNN.
But his lawyers said authorities never filed charges.
Crawford's employer, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, said in a statement that it respected “the wisdom of the jury's decision.”
“We strongly believe in transparency and accountability in law enforcement,” the statement said. “We appreciate the time and attention the jury devoted to this case.”
After the incident, authorities placed Mr. Crawford on paid administrative leave. It is unclear what his employment status currently is.
However, another of Barrett's lawyers, Albert Yonfa, said that although the criminal case is over, the civil process has just begun.
Yonghwa said his client will seek damages for the “reckless and excessive use of force, which is reinforced by the evidence revealed in this criminal trial.”
