Montre Merritt was a victim of police brutality in Waycross, Georgia but has not received an adequate legal resolution or outcome
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the National Bar Association’s ongoing pursuit of transparency and accountability in law enforcement agencies in every state, the National Bar Association is highlighting the individuals in different states who have suffered from excessive use of force at the hands of police, and still have yet to receive a just and legally sufficient resolution or outcome.
This week, the National Bar Association is highlighting yet another case of police brutality in Georgia involving high school all-star athlete Montre Merritt. On January 18, 2014, Waycross Police Officer Cory Gray pulled Montre over for a seatbelt violation as he was pulling into the driveway of his home.
Officer Gray pointed a gun at the teen’s head and forced him to get on the ground and subsequently arrested him. Officer Gray was found guilty of excessive force and suspended for just five days without pay. However, Montre’s Mother says that is not enough, and has filed an action for $12.5 million. Montre is now a student at a four-year university, and at the time of the incident, carried a 3.5 GPA. “Coming from me being a huge role model in my community, to see my mom witness that. That was one of the most painful things I could ever imagine for her,” Montre told “News 4 GA”. “That night when it happened, I felt like I could have been another Trayvon Martin case.”
There are a number of other complaints of deadly and excessive use of force in 2013 alone against the Waycross Police Department, and yet it is unknown if that agency and its policies are being investigated by local or federal authorities.
The mistreatment of Montre Merritt is another example of why significant policy changes, trainings, and legislative reforms are needed in states across the country. The NBA will continue to emphasize these examples of the miscarriage of justice until local and state governments implement the necessary changes, and law enforcement agencies begin actively working with communities for peaceful dialogue, trust and respect of citizens’ rights.
“The National Bar is adamant about its desire for transformative justice. While we are sadden by the growing number of police brutality cases, we are promoting peace on every street corner in the world. The only way to foster systemic change is to organize, educate, and mobilize. We are imploring everyone to continue to fight against the injustice in DeKalb County, Georgia and throughout the United States by banning together and fighting for: 1) appointment of independent prosecutors and investigators in officer involved shootings; 2) enactment of local and state laws requiring de-escalation of force training; 3) stricter mental health testing; 4) enactment of federal laws related to body and desk cameras; 5) training related to elevation and excessive force; 6)a clear definition of excessive force; and 7) making it a felony for another to watch a police officer engage in police brutality,” stated Pamela Meanes, President of the National Bar Association.
