Johnny Mims is addressing a current incident that concerned authorities tasing him in entrance of scholars and oldsters after a soccer recreation. Mims works because the band director at Minor High School (MHS) in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Bodycam Footage Shows How Swiftly The Situation Escalated
According to a press release from the Birmingham Police Department, the state of affairs went down on Thursday (Sept. 14) after a soccer recreation between MHS and P.D. Jackson-Olin High School.
While the officers had been clearing the sector after the soccer recreation, they famous that the bands had been nonetheless enjoying, with Mims later telling NBC News that each faculties’ band administrators agreed to do a “5th quarter” efficiency whereas attendees exited.
Authorities say that, whereas the house crew’s band director agreed to cease enjoying, Mims allegedly “did not comply” and “instructed his band to continue performing.”
Afterward, the state of affairs went downhill, with officers alleging {that a} “physical altercation ensued.”
“During the officers’ interaction with Minor’s band director, the decision was made to place him in custody. BPD officers attempted to take the band director into custody for Disorderly Conduct when a physical altercation ensued between the band director, Birmingham City Schools System Security personnel, and BPD officers.”
One of the authorities alleged that Mims “pushed him during the arrest,” and the officer “subdued the band director with a Taser” in response. Mims was then charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, and resisting arrest.
The division in the end launched the bodycam footage of the incident. Within the video, viewers can see one of many officers strategy the band, and Mims tells him to “get out of [his] face” whereas persevering with to guide the band. The officer is then heard saying, “I got my troops. They gon’ sweep they a*ses out.”
Other officers then enter the scene, with one barking, “Load them up, before I call the superintendent!” Upon being threatened with jail time, Mims responds by giving a thumbs up, and the sector lights later reduce out as he continues.
After the efficiency wraps, a scuffle ensues. An officer can later be heard saying that he’s taking Mims to jail for being “disrespectful.” Then, whereas Mims is being detained, an officer tases him at the least 3 times, prompting onlookers to scream.
You can view the footage right here.
Johnny Mims & His Lawyer Say The Matter “Traumatized” 145 Band Students
On Wednesday (Sept. 20), Johnny Mims and his lawyer — Juandalynn Givan — appeared on CNN, with the lawyer noting that the scholars had been “traumatized.”
“Regardless of how this may have started, there’s nothing that happened that would have warranted my client being tased multiple times, even while on the ground like some total criminal, at that point in front of 145 students. Those kids were traumatized.”
During a dialogue with NBC News, Mims and Givan additionally rejected the narrative that the band director pushed an officer. In truth, the lawyer referred to as it “just another attempt by law enforcement, as they have done across the country, to validate their bad acts.”
It’s additionally value noting that, whereas recounting the incident, Johnny Mims stated, “I was so stunned and so baffled. All I remember is hearing all of my students screaming and all of the parents crying.”
BPD’s Internal Affairs Division is trying into the matter. Additionally, Mims has been positioned on administrative go away pending a separate investigation by the Jefferson County School District.
As for Givan, she says she and her shopper are planning to pursue authorized motion towards the division.
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