City of Opelika Press Release regarding 'Davidson vs. Opelika'
On March 6, 2014 Michael Davidson was shot by Opelika Police Officer Phillip Hancock after he exited his vehicle alongside U.S. Highway I-85. Davidson subsequently sued Officer Phillip Hancock, Opelika Chief of Police John McEachern and the City of Opelika for claims arising from the shooting.
The City, the Chief of Police and its officer have always denied any wrongdoing. This case has now been analyzed by two federal courts – the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The judges have unanimously determined after a review of the evidence, which includes the dash cam video, there was no wrongdoing on behalf of the City, the Chief, or the involved officer. In reaching their respective decisions, these Federal Courts reviewed all of the evidence. Their opinions are clearly supported by all evidence. Attached are copies of the opinions issued by the two Federal Courts which have considered this matter.
The Link below are what 2 Federal Courts found regarding the case