Jonesboro Police Officer Fired After Video of Assault on Inmate Emerges

An Arkansas police officer, Joseph Harris, has been terminated following the release of a video showing him violently assaulting a handcuffed inmate in the back of his patrol car. The incident, which occurred during the transfer of inmate Billy Lee Coram from a local hospital to the county jail, prompted Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott to take immediate action. Chief Elliott expressed his shock and disapproval of Harris's conduct, stating, “I’m not going to put up with it,” and confirmed that the case would be referred to local prosecutors. The disturbing footage, lasting approximately 12 minutes, captures Harris punching and elbowing Coram, who was restrained and wearing a hospital gown. At one point, Coram can be seen choking himself with a seatbelt as the patrol car is in motion. The police chief has not disclosed the extent of Coram's injuries resulting from the altercation, and as of Monday, Coram remained in custody on escape charges and other outstanding warrants. In light of the incident, Chief Elliott is preparing to send documentation to the local prosecutor and has also reached out to the FBI’s Little Rock office for further investigation. Additionally, he plans to request the state to decertify Harris as a police officer. This is not the first time Harris has faced scrutiny; he was previously suspended for excessive force and is currently a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit related to an inmate's death earlier this year.