Acquitted Former Officers Want Their Jobs Back With Birmingham PD
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: January 18, 2011
A federal jury found Barrett Dewitt and David Doran not guilty of using excessive force.
While the two men were not convicted of criminal charges, they could still face civil damages.
No date is set for the civil trial, and this acquittal in criminal court has no bearing on what will happen in civil court because the evidence standards differ.
But Doran and Dewitt hope this acquittal will affect their future employment.
Last march, dash camera video surfaced of Dewitt and Doran hitting police chase suspect, Anthony Warren, in 2008.
That's when their attorneys say the men entered their own personal hell.
"It's very disheartening and sickening," said Wendy Crew, Warren's attorney, in May of 2009.
Shortly thereafter, they were fired from the Birmingham Police Department along with three others.
"My first reaction when I saw the video number was shock, which went into outrage, which went into anger," said Police Chief A.C. Roper in May of 2009.
But Tuesday, the vindicated men walked out of the federal courthouse unable to comment due to the pending civil suit but ready to celebrate with family.
"We just thank God for the glory, give him all the glory," said Catherine Perry, Dewitt's friend.
A Birmingham police officers even pulled over to shake Dewitt's hand.
"We are not concerned about an apology. The apology will be a job back at the Birmingham Police Department," said Emory Anthony, Dewitt's attorney.
"They deserve their jobs back. These are good men, good police officers. I feel safe by having men, like David Doran and Barrett Dewitt on the street," said Anthony Joseph, Doran's attorney.
Attorneys hope this trial sends messages to other officers.
"This frees the police in the Birmingham area and hopefully they can do their jobs and not face what these two individuals have faced here this week," said Everett Wess, Dewitt's attorney.
"I hope it sends the message if law enforcement engages in this type of conduct, they will be brought to court," said Robert Posey, a prosecutor.
Tuesday afternoon, Crew gave us her thoughts on the verdict.
"No matter what the jury said in this case, we still agree with what Chief Roper said at the time the five Birmingham police officers were fired. He said there was a failure in policy, personnel, training and supervision. He was right then and nothing this jury did changed that," said Warren's attorney.
As for the men's future with the Birmingham Police Department, Chief Roper is unable to comment about that until after the civil trial.
