Family balks at limitations put on ability to talk about, take notes on body camera video of police shooting

On July 1, a Fayetteville police officer fatally shot Jada Johnson after police were called to her home by her grandparents who say she was suffering a mental health crisis. She was 22.

"They called law enforcement to their house because she was having [a] mental crisis,” said Atlanta-based attorney Harry Daniels, who is representing the Johnson family. “She thought she was going to die.

“She in fact, might have been contemplating suicide. And eventually, she was ultimately killed by law enforcement."

Lawyers push for release of body camera footage in Jada Johnson fatal Fayetteville police shooting

Johnson had a gun, and police spent an hour trying to deescalate the situation. An autopsy shows Johnson was hit 17 times, including twice in the head.

Daniels claimed Johnson was shot in the back and in the back of the head. However, the claim came with a caveat.

“We have not seen an autopsy report to confirm that,” Daniels said. “We will [be] getting that information soon enough.

“I know there have been reports of a firearm of some sort, but it’s not clear as to what transpired, so that’s why we want to … see this video.”

Johnson’s grandfather watched in horror as the bullets started flying. Daniels said the grandfather strongly believes what he saw.

Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons approved allowing the family and their attorney to view the body camera video from Fayetteville police. However, Ammons said only the lawyers can take notes and no one could speak about what they saw. The Johnson family is choosing not to view the body camera video due to the existing gag order, Daniels said.

Daniels has a problem with the gag order.

"I don't believe [an] order from a judge preventing the family from speaking publicly and [making] public comments,” Daniels said. “I believe that it hinders the family of Jada Johnson’s ability to file a federal lawsuit in this matter."

Daniels said the grandfather witnessed the shooting and his ability to talk about the incident during news conferences is critical as they prepare to file a federal lawsuit. So, they have filed a motion to have the gag order lifted.

"He knows what he saw,” Daniels said of the grandfather. “And that's why we filed a motion to get an understanding of this order."

The case is now in the hands of the Special Prosecution Divisions of the North Carolina Attorney General's Office. The agency will decide if criminal charges should be brought against the officers involved in the shooting.

Daniels is also the attorney representing Ja'Lana Dunlap, who is shown in a Sept. 6 video scuffling with Fayetteville police as they pull her from her car and place her in handcuffs. On behalf of Dunlap, Daniels has filed a federal lawsuit against Fayetteville police.