Arkansas Officer Fired After Being Caught on Video Beating Inmate in Back of Patrol Car

Officer’s Immediate Termination

A Jonesboro, Arkansas police officer has been fired after being caught on video assaulting a handcuffed inmate in the back of his patrol car. Officer Joseph Harris was dismissed from his position on Friday, following the release of the disturbing footage. The video, captured by the patrol car’s camera, shows Harris punching, elbowing, and slamming a car door on the inmate, prompting swift action from Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott.

Incident Details and Video Evidence

The incident occurred as Officer Harris was transferring inmate Billy Lee Coram from a local hospital back to the county jail. In the roughly 12-minute video, Coram, dressed in a hospital gown, is seen choking himself with a seatbelt as the patrol car moves. After pulling over, Harris opens the door and violently assaults Coram, striking him in the face multiple times before slamming the car door on his head.

Chief Elliott reviewed the video after receiving a complaint from the county sheriff’s office and expressed his shock at Harris’ actions. “I was just shocked and appalled by [Harris’] actions,” Elliott said. “Based on that conduct, I’m not going to have it and I’m not going to put up with it, and [I] immediately terminated him.”

Background and Legal Ramifications

Harris, who had served with the Jonesboro Police Department for five years, had a history of using excessive force. He was suspended two years ago for a similar incident and is currently a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in June regarding an inmate who died in the Craighead County jail.

In the wake of the latest incident, Chief Elliott has announced that he will refer the case to local prosecutors and has contacted the FBI’s Little Rock office. He also plans to request that the state decertify Harris as a police officer.

“Wrong is wrong. There’s not really anything to investigate,” Elliott said, indicating the clear-cut nature of the evidence against Harris.

Next Steps

The inmate, Billy Lee Coram, was in custody on escape charges and had been taken to the hospital after claiming to have ingested fentanyl. He escaped from the hospital before being recaptured by Harris and placed back in the patrol car. The extent of Coram’s injuries from the beating is currently unknown.

As of Monday, Coram remained in the Craighead County jail, and no court date or attorney had been listed for him. The county prosecutor and the jail have not yet provided further comments on the case.