LSP Trooper Jacob Brown
Aaron Bowman and his attorneys held a press conference at the state Capitol Monday demanding justice and transparency after state trooper Jacob Brown was arrested last week for excessive force during Bowman’s traffic stop in May of 2019. Baton Rouge Attorney Ronald Haley said Bowman, a black man, was beaten in the head with a police-grade flashlight.
“We are demanding the immediate release of the video that shows the brutality that was enforced upon Mr. Bowman, and how dozens of officers stood around like some damn spectators,” said Haley.
Bowman received stitches in his head from the flashlight, suffered broken ribs, a fractured arm, and psychological damage.
Bowman was pulled from his car during a traffic stop in front of his Monroe home two weeks after Ronald Greene, another black man, who was allegedly beaten and left unattended in a trooper vehicle where he later died in May of last year. Bowman, who was visibly emotional said he feared for his life.
“To make sure it don’t happen to nobody else, I wouldn’t want to see it happen to nobody, no type of color you are, don’t nobody deserve to get beat with a flashlight,” said Bowman.
LSP investigated the incident after Bowman’s attorneys filed a lawsuit this year, Brown was arrested last week for battery and malfeasance in office.
Bowman’s personal attorney Donecia Banks-Miley said they want evidence of Bowman’s beating released and demand that other officers who also participated and witnessed the brutality be held accountable.
“We’ve learned that Deputy Donavan Guinn with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, he had something to do with this as well, participated in the beating and again all the other officers who stood around and did nothing,” said Banks-Miley.
Trooper Brown was assisting the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office when the incident occurred.
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