JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 21, 2025) –– Nationally renowned civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels have been retained to represent William McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old Black man who was violently assaulted by officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) during a traffic stop on February 19. A video of the incident has since gone viral, sparking outrage across the country.
In the video, McNeil is heard calmly asking officers why he was pulled over. Officers responded that it was for not having his headlights on, despite it being daylight. When McNeil asked to speak to a supervisor, officers smashed his car window and punched him repeatedly in the face.
The incident echoes past cases of police brutality involving the JSO, including the violent beating of 24-year-old Le’Keian Woods in 2023.
The legal team released the following statement:
“What happened to William McNeil Jr. is a disturbing reminder that even the most basic rights — like asking why you’ve been pulled over — can be met with violence for Black Americans. William was calm and compliant. Yet instead of answers, he got his window smashed and was punched in the face, all over a questionable claim about headlights in broad daylight.
“This wasn’t law enforcement, it was brutality. All video from JSO should be released to ensure there is transparency for McNeil and the community. We demand full accountability from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and justice for William McNeil Jr.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
ABOUT THE LAW OFFICES OF HARRY M. DANIELS, LLC
The Law Offices of Harry M. Daniels, LLC located in Atlanta, Georgia, handles civil rights cases throughout the United States as well as excessive use of force cases and wrongful death victims at the hands of law enforcement. Attorney Daniels has a proven track record seeking and securing justice for many whose rights have been violated.
