JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville woman who was charged with assaulting a police officer after throwing a green substance on him took her case to trial and avoided jail time.
The confrontation between Brittany Williams and police in her driveway in May 2020 was caught on video. Williams said officers used excessive force after the confrontation and entered her home without a warrant and assaulted her during her arrest.
After months of legal maneuvering, the case went to trial this week.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the officer informed Williams he had just finished a call and was checking emails, and that Williams told the officer to get out of her driveway before throwing a spoon with an unknown green substance at the officer while he was in his car. The Sheriff’s Office said the officer then called for backup, and when backup arrived they tried to take Williams into custody. The Sheriff’s Office said she kicked one officer in the groin, and as officers wrestled her into handcuffs, a loaded handgun fell from her clothes.
Williams was arrested and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. After a two-day trial, the jury acquitted Williams on the assault charge but convicted her of resisting police without violence.
Williams’ attorney, Jeffery Chukwuma, told News4Jax that the evidence presented in the case was irrelevant and prejudicial.
“We are extremely glad the jury returned a verdict of not guilty,” Chukwuma said. “However, we do feel Mrs. Williams and her family have been served an extreme injustice, and we do believe if the judge did not allow certain evidence like the threats and the firearm, the jury would have returned a verdict of not guilty on all charges.”
Williams was sentenced to six months probation, ordered to undergo mental health evaluations and anger management, and she has to write a letter of apology to an officer.
“He’s the one who came into her home, smashed out her two front teeth, twisted her arm, causing permanent nerve damage in her arm, which is outrageous,” Ray said. “If anyone who is ordered to write an apology in this case, it should be the officers to our client, Mrs. Williams.”
Attorneys for Williams also take issue with the mental health counseling Williams is ordered to undergo as part of her probation. They said that Williams has never had mental health issues, counseling, nor has she been on mental health medication.