FORT MYERS, Fla. — After three days of sometimes emotional testimony revolving around police body camera footage, it took a jury only about three hours to determine that Holley Jones' claims that Fort Myers police used excessive force during his 2018 arrest were unfounded.
Robert Durant, a lawyer representing officers Christian Robles and Andrew Barlow spoke about the jury's conclusion after their verdict Thursday.
“You can always hope for that and expect that but you’re still always very nervous,” said Durant.
From the relief expressed by the lawyer representing the officers being sued, to disappointment from Holley Jones, the man who said those officers used excessive force against him.
“I wanted to be heard, I wanted to be respected just like anybody else,” said Jones.
“I understand that everybody wouldn't respond to that same reaction in the same way with the officers but it’s alright that is their opinion and they have that right to make that. I just wanted my opinion, my right to say that I didn't want to talk to you about nothing,” said Jones.
In the end, both sides showed body camera footage provided by FMPD over 20 times for the jury, but it was officers Barlow and Robles' version of the story the jury sided with.
It started with that 911 call describing a man who appeared to be under the influence, chasing people outside the 7-Eleven in Lehigh acres.
“If I fit the actual description, then I would be okay.. but if I don't want to talk to you, then that's still okay too. I didn't have on green pants... I know that I didn't fit that description. I wasn't very thin, I wasn't outside in the parking lot. I was inside purchasing and minding my business,” said Jones.
“I think it’s good to show that the community, the jury, standing behind the police, in this case, that's not always the way it's going to turn out,” said Durant.
It was Jones's body language seen in the video, the officers said proved they were not only justified to approach him but also Barlow using his taser when they say Jones tried to avoid getting arrested.
“I think that obviously, the body camera footage helped us. I'm a little disappointed that nobody gathered the footage from the 7-Eleven either the plaintiff or the defense,” said Durant.
The jury did not believe Jones' lawyer, who argued the video clearly showed the tasing and approaching Jones was excessive force.
Jones and his lawyer, Andres Jalon, said more could be done.
“[We] are considering taking an appeal, I think that there are certain legal grounds for that,” said Jalon.
Jalon went on to say his client will have to make the ultimate choice about an appeal.
