Pleasant Prairie police have made public a video related to the death of Jacob Albright while in custody in July. This release comes after Kenosha County prosecutors announced that the officers involved will not face charges.
According to the police, Albright allegedly shot himself in the back of a squad car outside the Kenosha County Jail. However, Albright’s family disputes this claim, stating that he was only wearing a t-shirt and basketball shorts. A letter from District Attorney Michael Graveley suggested that the police may have missed the gun.
The incident occurred on July 20 when Albright was arrested for “weapons-related offenses” outside a Super 8 hotel at around 3:45 p.m. Graveley explained that two officers escorted Albright to a squad car for a search. During this process, Albright began to resist by thrashing his arms. The officers then decided to conduct a more thorough search in the sally port at the Kenosha County Jail due to Albright’s behavior.
Graveley stated that the squad video shows Albright, who was already handcuffed, unfastening his own seatbelt and reaching into his rear waistband area. At 4:13 p.m., Albright rolled onto his side and moved his hands behind his back, at which point a black handgun appeared on the seat. A gunshot was heard as the squad car approached the sally port driveway. Graveley concluded that Albright shot himself and determined that the officers would not face criminal charges. However, Albright’s family disagrees with this assessment.
James Gende from Gende Law Offices expressed disbelief that a weapon could make its way into the back of a squad car with a detained individual. Graveley clarified that the gun found in the backseat did not belong to a Pleasant Prairie police officer. The police department has initiated an internal review to determine if the officers involved violated any department policies or procedures.
