NORFOLK, Va. — A federal jury has ruled in favor of three former Norfolk police officers accused of retaliating against Brandon A. Williams following a serious car crash in September 2020. After two days of deliberation, the eight-member jury found unanimously that the officers did not conspire to infringe on Williams’ rights.
The civil trial, held in U.S. District Court, concluded last week after four days of testimonies. Williams, 40 and the stepson of Hampton Deputy Police Chief Kenny Ferguson, had sought damages for the emotional distress he claimed resulted from the police officers’ alleged actions.
Williams was involved in a head-on collision on Shore Drive, suffering significant injuries. He asserted that the officers conspired to alter the accident report to downplay the negligence of the other driver, Rex Aman. According to Williams, the report minimized Aman’s reckless behavior, failing to reflect his blood alcohol content of 0.30, which is nearly four times the legal limit for driving.
In court, Williams alleged that the conspiracy stemmed from a prior incident where he accused Officer John McClanahan of providing false testimony against him during a trespassing case. Williams claimed McClanahan had misrepresented facts, saying Williams invoked his stepfather’s police position to evade a ticket.
Statements made by Officer Rodney Van Faussien at the crash scene indicated an informal acknowledgment of issues regarding the incident. Van Faussien reportedly remarked about Williams having confronted McClanahan, shortly before turning off his body camera to discuss the matter with him. Days later, Officer Steven “Brett” Stone filed an accident report stating that Aman was adhering to the posted speed limit, a claim contradicted by eyewitness accounts that reported Aman driving around 75 mph.
The officers did not conduct a sobriety test at the scene, nor did they pursue a warrant for a blood test until later, resulting in critical evidence being overlooked.
Following the jury’s decision, Williams expressed his disappointment, stating he would continue to advocate for those without a voice. His attorney, Robert Haddad, criticized the verdict, emphasizing that the evidence presented clearly showed retaliatory intent by the officers, expressing bewilderment at the jury’s conclusions.
After the verdict, the officers’ legal representatives did not comment on the outcome. The three former officers have left the Norfolk police department, but trial evidence suggested their departure was voluntary.
This case has brought attention to serious concerns regarding police accountability and the handling of officer misconduct, which continue to resonate within communities.
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