WHITLEY COUNTY, KY - Two former Kentucky State Police officers have been found not guilty in a case where they were accused of using excessive force on a suspect in a crime.
Derrek Lovett and Michael Logan Howell were facing federal charges stemming from an August 2020 incident in which the two confronted Bradley Hamblin at a private residence, according to the Lexington Herald Leader. The officers sought to speak to Hamblin in connection to a fire which affected a home being built by Lovett.
Another police officer, Jeremy Elliotte, has plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of entering a residence without a warrant in connection to the incident in accordance with a plea deal.
Hamblin would later accuse the officers of using excessive force in apprehending and arresting him, as well as lying about their actions in an attempt to cover up official misconduct.
All three officers faced federal charges of conspiracy stemming from an alleged cover-up involving the incident. Police cruiser camera footage featuring Howell describing an aspect of the incident as "pretty bad" was also cited by the prosecution. An attorney for Lovett argued that this reference was describing Hamlin's physical injuries, rather than the conduct of the officers.
A federal jury decided to acquit the two defendants after eight hours of deliberation on Friday.
Lovett's attorney, Greg Ousley, pointed to his client's belief in the criminal justice system as a guiding light for the defense. Ousley argued that communications between Lovett and Howell amounted to comparison of law enforcement notes, rather than an effort to shape a story to avoid punitive actions.
“He literally put his faith in the criminal justice system. And in this case it came out the way it should have. He can go on with his life now.”
Derrek Lovett and Michael Logan Howell were facing federal charges stemming from an August 2020 incident in which the two confronted Bradley Hamblin at a private residence, according to the Lexington Herald Leader. The officers sought to speak to Hamblin in connection to a fire which affected a home being built by Lovett.
Another police officer, Jeremy Elliotte, has plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of entering a residence without a warrant in connection to the incident in accordance with a plea deal.
Hamblin would later accuse the officers of using excessive force in apprehending and arresting him, as well as lying about their actions in an attempt to cover up official misconduct.
All three officers faced federal charges of conspiracy stemming from an alleged cover-up involving the incident. Police cruiser camera footage featuring Howell describing an aspect of the incident as "pretty bad" was also cited by the prosecution. An attorney for Lovett argued that this reference was describing Hamlin's physical injuries, rather than the conduct of the officers.
A federal jury decided to acquit the two defendants after eight hours of deliberation on Friday.
Lovett's attorney, Greg Ousley, pointed to his client's belief in the criminal justice system as a guiding light for the defense. Ousley argued that communications between Lovett and Howell amounted to comparison of law enforcement notes, rather than an effort to shape a story to avoid punitive actions.
“He literally put his faith in the criminal justice system. And in this case it came out the way it should have. He can go on with his life now.”
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