The head of Arkansas State Police said Monday he would be unable to appear before the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus to discuss a state trooper punching an 18-year-old during a traffic stop because of pending litigation.
Col. Mike Hagar had been scheduled to appear before the caucus Tuesday to discuss the Aug. 1 traffic stop of Alisa Hackett of Osceola that has drawn national attention and sparked a civil rights lawsuit.
“I offered to meet privately with the Caucus to have an open and candid conversation about any public safety concerns they would like to discuss,” Hagar said in a statement released late Monday afternoon. “That offer stands, and I’d be very happy to talk individually with any legislator. Unfortunately, because of pending litigation, it would be irresponsible and impossible for me to have an open discussion in a public setting.”…