Community groups in Jacksonville are pressing for the State Attorney's Office to reevaluate the February traffic stop involving William McNeil Jr. that sparked outrage after a viral video showed McNeil being punched by officers. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) and a collective of 14 community advocacy organizations are spearheading this initiative, demanding accountability, particularly in cases involving Black residents, as reported by First Coast News.
At a recent gathering outside the State Attorney’s Office, dozens joined the call to reopen the case against the officers involved in the traffic stop. The protest also advocated for the establishment of a public safety committee. McNeil's uncle, Anthony James, highlighted the lasting impact of the incident on his nephew, stating, "My nephew will never ever be the same, physically or mentally. It has been destroyed," in a statement obtained by News 4 Jax.
Despite the Sheriff's Office assertion that no criminal laws were broken, the JCAC and allied groups are questioning the investigative process, emphasizing the necessity for a deeper probe into the use of force and possible police misconduct. Their concerns were amplified by the involvement of Robin Waters, the State Attorney’s Office Director of Investigations, and wife of Sheriff T.K. Waters, despite the Sheriff’s assurance that she is not involved in the decision-making for this case. In a letter sent to State Attorney Melissa Nelson, the groups cite "disturbing evidence of excessive force — including video footage and witness testimony" and the urgent need for a reopened investigation, according to a report by Jacksonville.com.
Following a timeline that began with McNeil's arrest in February and the subsequent viral spread of the cell phone video in July, the community action has escalated to direct demonstrations and calls for policy change. Concerns about the integrity of the investigation linger, as the Jacksonville groups continue their rallying cry for transparency and justice. Sheriff T.K. Waters indicated in an interview that while the internal investigation into policy violations continues, the results would not be expected until at least January 2026, according to a letter News 4 Jax.
