Attorney: No federal charges in police punch

Published 7:05 pm Tuesday, December 8, 2015

The New Albany police officer who was videotaped punching an Ole Miss fan during the game versus LSU will not see any federal charges, his attorney said today.

Brock White, the officer, was on extra security detail with the University of Mississippi for game day. A Facebook video went viral after the game of him punching fan Chris Barnes in the face.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been reviewing the case, and according to a statement from White’s attorney, Tony Farese:

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“I was notified this afternoon that the F.B.I. had concluded their investigation of Officer Brock White regarding the Chris Barnes arrest that occurred on Nov. 21, 2015, at the Ole Miss/ LSU game in Oxford, MS.  It is my understanding that the video footage of the security cameras at the stadium were reviewed and many eyewitnesses were interviewed. Upon presentation of the results of that investigation to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Oxford, MS, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, it was concluded that no further action will be taken. Additionally, my investigation revealed that Mr. Barnes sustained his injuries from an altercation inside the Lafayette County Detention Center and not from Officer White.  My client, Brock White and I are pleased with this news.”

More information will come as it is available.