Family of Vicksburg man shot by Florida deputy hires Ben Crump, demands body camera video

The family of a Vicksburg man once charged in a high-profile 2013 murder case has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump after the man was shot and killed by a Florida deputy.Authorities in Clay County, Florida, said deputies encountered 48-year-old Morris Davis last Saturday while responding to assist children and families at a home. Investigators said Davis was armed with two knives, ran from the house and resisted deputies when they attempted to take him into custody.According to the sheriff’s office, deputies used Tasers on Davis, but they were ineffective. A deputy then shot Davis in the yard.Davis’ family disputes the sheriff’s office account, claiming he was already on the ground and no longer a threat when the shots were fired.During a public gathering following the shooting, Crump called for the release of body camera footage from the encounter.“So we need the body camera videos to be released from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department,” Crump said. “Transparency plus accountability equals trust.”Davis had ties to Vicksburg and was charged with second-degree murder in the 2013 killing of Michael Thomas in the city.The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. —

The family of a Vicksburg man once charged in a high-profile 2013 murder case has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump after the man was shot and killed by a Florida deputy.

Authorities in Clay County, Florida, said deputies encountered 48-year-old Morris Davis last Saturday while responding to assist children and families at a home. Investigators said Davis was armed with two knives, ran from the house and resisted deputies when they attempted to take him into custody.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies used Tasers on Davis, but they were ineffective. A deputy then shot Davis in the yard.

Davis’ family disputes the sheriff’s office account, claiming he was already on the ground and no longer a threat when the shots were fired.

During a public gathering following the shooting, Crump called for the release of body camera footage from the encounter.

“So we need the body camera videos to be released from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department,” Crump said. “Transparency plus accountability equals trust.”

Davis had ties to Vicksburg and was charged with second-degree murder in the 2013 killing of Michael Thomas in the city.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.