Attorney Michael DuBos, who strongly argued before the Louisiana State Police Commission on Thursday, March 11, 2021, that the administrative investigations into three recently-arrested troopers he represents should be stopped because LSP Col. Lamar Davis is abusing his authority and the investigations are not timely.
On February 8, 2021, Louisiana State Police (LSP) troopers Dakota DeMoss, Randall Dickerson, and George Harper were arrested for alleged excessive force, turning off body cameras, and lying about arrests.
On March 4, 2021, their attorney, Michael DuBos, succeeded in obtaining this court-ordered Temporary Restraining Order stopping the LSP administrative investigations on the three troopers dead in their tracks until March 18, 2021 with the intent for the Order to be extended to a Preliminary Injunction.
LSP, in turn, filed this Motion to Dissolve the Temporary Restraining Order the very next day, March 5, 2021. The hearing for LSP’s Motion was conducted in Judge Ron Johnson’s Courtroom at 1:00 p.m. today (Thursday, March 11, 2021), and Sound Off Louisiana’s founder, Robert Burns, attended the court hearing.
DuBos lit into LSP Col. Lamar Davis in essentially stating that Davis is abusing his authority and attempting to open up old cases which have been handled by former LSP Col. Kevin Reeves and basically saying, “If we had been in charge, we would have handled these matters differently.”
DuBos also stressed that, in all the years he’s been litigating matters like this, he has never encountered an instance wherein a criminal investigation was initiated prior to an administrative investigation. He accused Davis of instituting the criminal investigations before the administrative investigations, “because they get headlines whereas administrative investigations do not.”
LSP attorney Morrison argued that the Temporary Restraining Order has not only stopped the administrative investigations of the three troopers DuBos represents, but that all investigations that have been offshoots of those investigations have also been stopped, “due to the broad wording of the Temporary Restraining Order.” Morrison also stated that no evidence has been submitted that a Captain had been notified to trigger a 14-day clock to start running regarding when an administrative investigation has to start. DuBos countered that all anyone has to do is read LSP’s filing wherein it’s stated that, “the highest levels of State Police have reviewed these matters.”
DuBos also stressed that LSP Sergeant Gustave Bethea has, “confirmed in writing that LSP Internal Affairs has a leak,” and he further stated that Internal Affairs matters have been leaked to WBRZ (Channel 2 in Baton Rouge)’s Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto.
In the support documentation for the Temporary Restraining Order DuBos supplied, LSP placed some interesting text messages in the Arrest Warrant for Dakoto DeMoss entailing an apparent reveling among him and his colleagues about an “ass whoop in” inflicted upon an arrestee (see pages 22 and 23 of the Temporary Restraining Order link above). From that document:
The troopers then escorted Harris to one of their marked police vehicles. As they placed Harris in the back seat, Tpr. Harper threatened him by saying, “stupid motherfucker, I hope you act up when we get to the fucking jail. I am going to punish you, dumb bitch. What the fuck is wrong with you, stupid motherfucker. ”
It should be noted that the system sends the messages out in a similar fashion as group messages on a cellular phone. When a message is sent out, it went out to each of the four troopers simultaneously.
Jacob Brown “How was his attitude at the jail?”
George Harper “Complete silence”
Jacob Brown “Lmao”
Dakota DeMoss “lol he was still digesting that ass whoop in”
Jacob Brown “its gonna take him a couple days … ”
Jacob Brown “he gonna be sore tomorrow for sure”
Jacob Brown “BET he wont run from a full grown bear again”
Dakota DeMoss “Bet he don’t even cross into LA anymore”
George Harper “GRIZZLY Nah he gonna spread the word that’s for damn sure”
Jacob Brown “lmao”
Dakota DeMoss “he’s gonna have nightmares for a long time”
Jacob Brown “lmao…..warms my heart knowing we could educate that young man”
Dakota DeMoss “lolol”
Larry Shappley “haha”
Three hours before the hearing in Judge Johnson’s courtroom, DuBos lit into LSP attorney Faye Morrison, accusing her of, “not correctly stating the law.” He interrupted her statements to the LSPC, which prompted Chairman Eulis Simien, Jr. to tell him not to interrupt and to, “show a little politeness here!” Let’s take a look, shall we?:
DuBos, after describing himself as, “a little old country lawyer in Monroe,” indicates that LSP has to follow the law just like anyone else and later states that LSP Legal Counsel Faye Morrison is, “not correctly stating the law.”
Now, DuBos stated to Judge Johnson that, at the prior LSPC meeting of only a few hours before, “LSP did not even argue that LSPC has jurisdiction.” Morrison countered that LSP has never even questioned LSPC’s jurisdiction. Judge Johnson then stated, “Well, that’s what he just said,” to which Morrison responded, “I know.”
That’s the nice thing about a camera! Here’s the entirety of the matter with not one second edited out so that the issue in controversy can be resolved:
Entirety of DuBos’ arguments for the administrative proceedings to be stopped and/or an investigation into his clients’ complaint entailing Col. Davis, followed by LSP’s counter arguments.
As is evidenced by the preceding video, the LSPC declined to initiate any investigation into whether Col. Davis is abusing his power; furthermore, they deferred until the next LSPC meeting the question of whether or not the body even has the authority to initiate such an investigation.
At the court hearing at 1:00 p.m., Judge Johnson directed both parties to submit to him written Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law by Monday, March 15, 2021. He further indicated that he would then render his decision either on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 or Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Morrison then emphasized the fact that LSP’s hands are tied right now with investigations on hold and that time deadlines apply. Judge Johnson responded, “that’s why I told you I’d make my ruling so quickly.”
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Great reporting. thanks for showing up for this important case. So the young man was driving at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour…because he had some outstanding warrants. He deserves to face those charges and work through them. He did not deserve to get beaten up. Period. The officers involved and those who covered it up need to lose their jobs, and never be allowed to be police officers anywhere.
It makes no difference if you are a zero or a hero every Cop knows who the racists, beaters and the corrupt cops are each one is complicit by omission worst of the worse. Protect and serve the one. Cowards behind a badge with a gun.
I just found out about your website. Have you ever written about Brett Wittner, 14 years old,who was shot to death in a house owned by a LA cop? His rifle wound to the back of his head was ruled a suicide and his family craves justice.
I am researching to familiarize myself with the case now. Give me about a week or so to get caught up on other pressing matters and research it further, and I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for the comment and alerting me to this incident!
Did you work for the public service commission?