Dalian Atkinson
Former footballer Dalian Atkinson, 48, died after losing consciousness following his arrest near his home in Telford, Great Britain, in August 2016.
Police were responding a call about breach of the peace. PC Benjamin Monk and PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith found Atkinson near the house. The officers claimed to be “terrified” of the 48-year-old sportsman. Monk deployed his Taser three times. Twice he was unsuccessful but on the third occasion he tasered Atkinson for 33 seconds, more than six times longer than the normal cycle, before kicking him at least twice in the head. And Bettley-Smith struck Atkinson with her baton. Atkinson died in hospital just over an hour after the confrontation.
In June 2021, jurors have been discharged after failing to reach a verdict on the female police officer who allegedly assaulted Dalian Atkinson. Bettley-Smith denied assaulting Atkinson.
In June 2021, PC Benjamin Monk was sent to prison for eight-years after being found guilty of the manslaughter. Social justice campaigners and FBI believe that the sentence was “very lenient”. In July 2021 Monk was dismissed from police without notice.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“Myself and others felt the eight-year sentence for manslaughter was very lenient,” social justice campaigner Des Jaddoo said.
Giving evidence in the sixth week of a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, PC Bettley-Smith said “I struck him to prevent him from getting up and protect myself and Ben.”
CASE STATUS:
The FBI initiative group requested clarifications on the current case from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Justice Minister and Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland, and British Home Secretary Priti Sushil Patel. The initiative group considers it necessary to combat racism on the part of law enforcement officials and, if necessary, can provide legal and informational assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Johnson
Letter to Buckland
Letter to Patel
