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Arkansas police officer fired after video shows him beating handcuffed man in patrol car

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Arkansas police officer fired after video shows him beating handcuffed man in patrol car


An Arkansas police officer has been fired after video shows him allegedly beating a man handcuffed in the back of a patrol car.

In a statement posted to social media Aug. 9, the Jonesboro Police Department said it had received a complaint of an incident involving the officer of a “serious nature” from the previous evening.

“Following an internal review of the incident, it was determined that the officer involved, Joseph Harris, should be terminated effective immediately,” Jonesboro police said in the statement.

Jonesboro is located in northeast Arkansas, and is about 70 miles from Memphis, Tennessee.

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Jonesboro police posted video of the incident online, which shows Harris allegedly beating a man who was handcuffed and sitting detained in the back of his patrol car wearing what looks like a hospital gown.

Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott told local station KAIT he had been communicating with the FBI, and that the Little Rock office had opened a case regarding the incident.

USA TODAY has reached out to Jonesboro police for more information.

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Video shows handcuffed man physically assaulted by police officer

In the video posted by the Jonesboro Police Department, the man can be heard telling officers he had swallowed a bag of fentanyl the day before, and thinks he will die unless he’s taken back to a hospital.

At one point, the video shows the man unbuckling his seatbelt and laying down in the back seat, before an officer opens the door and begins punching and elbowing the man’s head repeatedly.

Another officer, who police have not identified, checks on the man and asks if he is alright, but the man is unresponsive after the assault. The officer then closes the car door by his feet.

The first officer returns and seemingly rubs him roughly in the chest with a tool, which causes the man to twist and groan, and then closes the door on his head.

The car then begins to drive as the man, still laying down, continues to yell and groan in the back seat.

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Harris previously cited for use of force

This is not the first time Harris has faced consequences for using force.

About two years ago, CNN reported that he received a 20-hour suspension without pay and further training from the police department for excessive force, Sally Smith, a public information officer with the Jonesboro Police Department, said.

He was additionally named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in June, Smith told CNN.



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Kingston author’s new book debunks Arkansas’ graveyard myths | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Kingston author’s new book debunks Arkansas’ graveyard myths | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Bill Bowden

bbowden@nwaonline.com

Bill Bowden covers a variety of news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, primarily in Northwest Arkansas. He has worked at the newspaper for 16 years and previously worked for both the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette.

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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions

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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions


The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2) meet Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Arkansas earned its second straight win last Saturday, rolling past the Fresno State Bulldogs 82-58. It covered as a 20-point home favorite, and the Under (160.5) hit. Arkansas controlled the game defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 15% (4-for-26) shooting from 3-point range. G Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 18 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal.

Texas Tech extended its winning streak to 3 games Sunday with an 82-58 win over the LSU Tigers. The Red Raiders covered as 5.5-point home favorites, and the Under (153.5) cashed. Texas Tech locked in defensively, holding LSU to 17% (4-for-24) shooting from 3-point range. G Christian Anderson led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. F LeJuan Watts provided a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) off the bench.

Texas Tech and Arkansas last met March 27 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Red Raiders survived an 85-83 OT win, while Arkansas covered as a 5.5-point underdog. The total pushed past the number, cashing the Over.

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– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Arkansas -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Texas Tech -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions

Prediction

Arkansas 76, Texas Tech 73

BET ARKANSAS (-102).

This is a rematch the Razorbacks haven’t forgotten. They had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Sweet 16 last March before watching it slip away late, and this feels like a clear revenge spot on a neutral floor in Dallas.

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What I like most is Arkansas’ backcourt. The Razorbacks are quicker, more dynamic and better equipped to control tempo, especially with Acuff starting to look more comfortable running the offense. When Arkansas is at its best, the ball is in its guards’ hands, pushing pace and creating pressure, and that’s an area where Texas Tech can struggle.

The Razorbacks’ losses this season have come against strong competition, and they were competitive in each one. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has been more uneven. The Red Raiders handled LSU, but they’ve also been blown out and pushed around by other quality opponents.

In a tight, high-energy matchup, I’ll trust the deeper roster, the fresher legs in the backcourt and the team with something to prove. Arkansas is the side for me.

PASS.

No need to play around with the spread when you can get the Razorback at plus odds on the moneyline.

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BET UNDER 157.5 (-115).

Texas Tech leans on physical half-court defense, while Arkansas defends cleanly without sending teams to the line and ranks 28th nationally in 3-point defense. The Under has hit in 6 of Texas Tech’s last 7 games and 6 of Arkansas’ last 8, making this a strong trend-based spot.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Cristina LaRue

clarue@adgnewsroom.com

Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She started her career as a journalist in 2017, covering business and education for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, later covering the crime and courts beats near the U.S.-Mexico border for the USA Today network, and education for the El Paso Times. She is a graduate of Texas State University.

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