William McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old Black college student, has filed a federal lawsuit seeking at least $200,000 in damages after a February 19 traffic stop that he and his attorneys say turned violent.
The lawsuit, filed Sept. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida – Jacksonville Division, names Officers D. Bowers and D. Miller, Sheriff T.K. Waters, and the city of Jacksonville as defendants.
Allegations of Excessive Force
According to ABC News, the lawsuit claims the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office “enforces a policy that allows its officers to utilize unwarranted and excessive physical force against an individual who poses no immediate threat,” and does not require officers to report all instances of force.
McNeil said during a press conference announcing the suit,
“I really just wanted my side of the story to be heard … I hope my story gets heard today.”…