Feds Clear New Albany Officer In Ole Miss Assault Case

OXFORD, MS (WCBI) A New Albany officer will be returning to regular duties after federal authorities say there is no reason to continue an investigation into an incident at the Ole Miss LSU football game.

Officer Brock White was  off duty  and working security  on a free lance basis at the Ole Miss LSU football game when efforts to remove Chris Barnes from the stadium got heated.   Cell phone video led to claims White punched Barnes.  That’s when the University called in the FBI to conduct an independent probe of the incident.   White’s attorney Tony Farese of Ashland says he was called this afternoon and told that after the FBI, The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice all looked at the case all three said there was no brutality involved and no federal action would be taken.
The question now is what did happen.  Farese says his investigation shows Barnes injuries occurred after an altercation with another inmate inside the holding cell at the Lafayette County Detention center.  That conclusion appears to be supported by this series of pictures.

BOOKING PHOTO

FAMILY PHOTO

The first taken in a secured area at the Ole Miss stadium, the second taken at the Lafayette County Jail as Barnes was booked and put in the cell and the third taken four hours later by Barnes family after he was released.  Farese adds he has witness statements and additional security footage from the Ole Miss stadium that support claims Barnes was drunk and acting belligerent.   While no charges are coming against  Officer White, Barnes still faces a felony charge of assaulting an officer for striking White, The New Albany officer is currently on paid administrative leave but should be returned to regular duty soon.