Grand Jury Indicts Sheriff's Deputy in Police Shooting of Unarmed Virginia Man Isiah Brown; Faces Up

Grand Jury Indicts Sheriff’s Deputy in Police Shooting of Unarmed Virginia Man Isiah Brown; Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison


Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy David Turbyfill has been indicted by a grand jury in Virginia for the April police shooting of unarmed Black gay man Isiah Brown.

Turbyfill faces one charge of felony reckless handling of a firearm related to the April 21 incident where he, according to Brown family attorney David Haynes, shot Brown ten times after mistaking a cordless phone held by Brown for a gun.

According to special prosecutor LaBravia Jenkins, Turbyfill’s reckless handling of a firearm charge, which is normally a misdemeanor, is being bumped up to a felony due to the level of injuries Brown suffered. According to Haynes, eight bullets were found in Brown’s body, causing “serious internal injuries” including “serious injuries to his bowels.” Haynes also stated that Brown suffered a broken leg and underwent at least four surgeries before being released from the hospital in May. Brown is continuing his recovery at home.

If found guilty, Turbyfill faces up to five years in prison. “Isiah Brown’s life was shattered and changed forever when he crossed paths with David Turbyfill,” Haynes said in a statement to The Hill. “While this indictment doesn’t take Mr. Brown’s physical pain away, it does signify a measure of justice.”

Read more: https://www.towleroad.com/2021/07/virginia-police-shooting-isiah-brown/