Maurice Williams Video Shows Fairfield High School Arrest Ahead of Lawsuit

New cellphone video from fairfield high school shows Maurice Williams being violently beaten and arrested nearly two weeks ago, turning a campus fight into a legal fight over police conduct. The family of the 16-year-old now says it plans to file a lawsuit after hiring civil rights attorney John Burris.

Williams Video and Arrest

The footage comes from a different vantage point than the body camera video released earlier by police. It shows the moment Williams was taken down at Fairfield High School, and the family’s legal claim says officers threw him to the ground and punched him multiple times before restraining him.

That claim says he was not armed or resisting. It also says Williams suffered a concussion and emotional distress.

Rhamesha Williams and John Burris

Williams said the incident has changed his daily life. “Everything that happened in it affected me in my everyday life. Like, everything is different now. I can't go outside without worrying about being seen or recognized or being harassed by the police,” he said.

His mother, Rhamesha Williams, said, “I'm in disbelief. My child had to endure something so horrific at such a young age.” The family has already filed a legal claim against the city, the first step before a lawsuit, and Burris called the force excessive.

Police Chief and Next Steps

Attorneys for the family said the police chief has indicated criminal charges against Williams have not been ruled out. Burris is also calling for Officer Bianca Camacho to be prosecuted and removed from the force at a minimum.

Body camera footage released later sparked protests, and the new cellphone video gives the family another piece of evidence as it pushes the case toward court.