High school band director speaks out after getting shocked with stun gun by police

Johnny Mims, a band director at Minor High School in Alabama, is accusing Birmingham police of the usage of over the top drive in opposition to him after he was once shocked with a stun gun thrice after officials say he refused to conform with orders whilst they tried to transparent the sphere.

In an interview with ABC News’ DeMarco Morgan that aired on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, Mims accused police of the usage of “excessive force” within the incident that came about on Sept. 14 and mentioned that he feared for his lifestyles.

“I didn’t deserve to be tased. I didn’t deserve to be tased, regardless of how people say it or how people feel about it. I never deserved that. I’m a good citizen,” Mims instructed “GMA.”

“I was on the ground. So to go and tase me twice or three times … that’s excessive,” he added. “I’m a band director. I’m the bus driver. So I wasn’t I wasn’t running … I can’t go nowhere. I got students that I’m accountable for.”

Mims additionally spoke out at a press convention on Wednesday and mentioned that he was once put on administrative go away by the Jefferson County School District following the incident.

He was once joined on the press convention by his legal professional, Juandalynn Givan, and participants of the Alabama Education Association (AEA), of which Mims is a member.

“I know that my students are hurting,” Mims mentioned. “I know that they come to school every single day trying to figure out when their director is going to be back because I’m always there in the morning to welcome them, to say good morning, how you doing? Like, we have that type of bond.”

AEA leaders voiced their give a boost to for Mims and known as at the school to let him return to paintings.

The incident took place at P.D. Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham all over “fifth quarter” – a practice that originates at Historically Black Colleges and Universities the place school bands face off, taking turns to play tune after a soccer recreation involves an finish.

“It is a big cultural thing that happens amongst bands. Something that everybody looks forward to,” Mims mentioned.

“A large proportion of our fans come just to see the bands and so it’s something that’s not uncustomary,” he added.

Mims mentioned that bands from each colleges each and every agreed to play 3 tunes all over 5th quarter and all over the 3rd music is when police approached him as he stood at the podium and requested the band to vacate the stadium. Mims mentioned that he instructed them they would depart after the band completed its remaining music.

Body digicam pictures launched by BPD presentations officials making an attempt to transparent the stadium following the sport and as they way Mims and ask him to inform the band to forestall the tune, he time and again says, “Get out of my face.”

“Cut it! We got to go,” a sergeant says.

“I know. We’re fixing to go. This is our last song,” Mims says in reaction.

After an officer says one thing to the impact of Mims going to prison, Mims offers a thumbs up and says, “That’s cool.”

The band continues to play as officials organize them to depart, and the sergeant yells to place Mims in handcuffs.

While making an attempt to handcuff the director after the band stopped acting, an officer can also be heard announcing, “I’m fixing to tase you.”

Another officer says, “He hit the officer, he got to go to jail.”

“I did not swing on the officer, man,” Mims says in reaction.

While making an attempt to detain Mims, an officer deployed his stun gun on him thrice, the video presentations.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue workforce handled Mims on the scene earlier than officials transported him to an area medical institution, consistent with police protocol.

Upon being discharged, Mims was once booked on the Birmingham City Jail on disorderly behavior, harassment and resisting arrest fees early Friday. He was once bonded out inside of hours, on-line prison data display. Police allege Mims refused to position his fingers at the back of his again and driven an officer all over the altercation.

Givan claimed within the press convention on Wednesday that the 8-minute frame digicam video launched by the Birmingham Police Department is simplest a part of the pictures to be had.

She claimed that BPD didn’t free up the entire frame digicam video associated with this incident and mentioned that she has received further movies that allegedly display that Mims didn’t strike a police officer.

“They failed to give all versions of the bodycam information to your all,” Givan mentioned. “You will see that my client never struck or attempted to strike a Birmingham police officer.”

ABC News has asked the extra video from Givan.

Asked if they have got further frame digicam video that they did not proportion and concerning the allegation that Mims did not strike police, a spokesperson for BPD instructed ABC News on Wednesday that “those are trial questions” and referred them to the Office of the City Attorney.

The town legal professional’s place of business didn’t instantly reply to ABC News’ request for remark.

Givan instructed “GMA ” in an interview that aired on Wednesday that her office plans to take legal action against the city of Birmingham and called for officers involved to be placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

Asked if any of the officers have been disciplined, a spokesperson for the Birmingham Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division told ABC News on Tuesday that an investigation is ongoing.

“I need those fees dropped in opposition to my shopper. His popularity has been impacted. They have impugned his personality,” Givan said. “We need justice for our shopper and we would like his voice to be heard. We need him revered and we would like an apology from the town of Birmingham.”

Mims instructed “GMA” that as an educator, he is concerned about the impact the experience had had on the students, including the 145 band members that he was leading.

“Thear the ones youngsters cry … [that] is essentially the most heartbreaking factor that anyone can ever enjoy,” Mims mentioned.

“My greatest prayer is that to begin with, that those scholars won’t dangle a grudge that they are going to have the ability to triumph over this – that they might in the future have the ability to transfer ahead and proceed to be the good people who they’re,” he added.

According to BPD, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond met with the Birmingham mayor and superintendents from both school districts regarding the incident.

Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin told ABC News that they are reviewing the video, adding that it is “extraordinarily frightening to me that our scholars, our kids, needed to witness that scene.”

Consoulin mentioned that he cannot remark additional amid the continuing investigation however added that counselors had been made to be had to scholars.