RUSK COUNTY, Texas — Earlier this week, CBS19 obtained dashcam footage featuring the 2022 encounter between Michael Randall and Sgt. Shane Iverson, which ended with Randall being shot and killed.
The video offers insight into what happened the night Randall was killed.
"Well, I think the video shows clearly one of the worst acts of police misconduct in US history. And that conduct was murder," said Joseph Oxman, the lead attorney representing the Randall family.
The Randall family has filed a federal lawsuit, claiming that Iverson violated Michael Randall’s rights. As this case becomes more public, Oxman says it’s important for jurors and the community to see the video of what happened that night. And after reviewing the footage himself, Oxman believes the encounter was excessive and still believes the shooting was unnecessary.
"Everything that he did was aggressive action against my client. He’s the one who grabbed him. Iverson’s the one who threw him down. Everything that Iverson did was to escalate the situation," said Oxman.
According to the official release from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, there was an open container of beer in the car when sergeant Iverson approached Randall vehicle. Oxman says even if that is the case, the stop still could’ve been handled differently.
"Well the first thing he should’ve done is perform a sobriety test. Have Timothy come out, point to his nose, walk in a straight line, see if he’s drunk. He doesn’t do that," said Oxman.
Oxman clarified that by the end of this case, the Randall family can only be awarded financial compensation for their loss. However, that wouldn’t necessarily mean that there aren’t additional consequences for Iverson.
"I do hope that the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas does decide to bring criminal charges against Sergeant Iverson under the civil rights act as well, which they can do," said Oxman.