Warning: Video contains profane language
LAFAYETTE, IN — The Lafayette police officers who broke down William Neal’s door late May 21, 2024, will not face charges, Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington recently said after he reviewed a state police investigation.
Neal’s interaction with police officers was recorded on Neal’s home surveillance video, as well as on a cell phone video by Neal’s son.
“This began with a legitimate concern for someone’s safety,” Tippecanoe County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jason Biss said. “The officers made repeated efforts to de-escalate and followed protocol.”
The officers were at Neal’s house because two women received videos of a woman being assaulted by a man. They believed the assault was happening that night and called 911 from out of state.
Police arrived at Neal’s house in the 1900 block of Maple Street because they believed the suspect lived at Neal’s house and the victim in the video was inside, according to the prosecutor’s press release published Friday afternoon. Bureau of Motor Vehicle records indicated the suspect in the battery lived at Neal’s house.
“In situations like this, officers are expected to act quickly, yet cautiously,” Harrington said. “Their goal that night was simple: Make sure no one inside was in danger.”
Officers tried for 12 minutes to persuade Neal to open the door to speak with them face to face. Instead, Neal and his girlfriend, Tammy Cooper, communicated with officers through a surveillance camera and an intercom.
Neal told the officers no one was there by the names the officers used, and that the woman inside was not harmed. But Neal refused to open the door, even after a police supervisor arrived, according to the prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor’s news release published Friday stated that Neal threatened to shoot officers if they forced their way into his house. That threat is not heard on Neal’s video.
On Neal’s video, the door is open, and Neal, Cooper and Neal’s son are visible. Neal warns the officers not to come inside unless they had a warrant. Officers entered and arrested Neal and his son, both of whom went to jail that night. They were not charged with a crime.
Neal, Cooper and Neal’s son filed a civil lawsuit in December 2024 against the city and its police department. That lawsuit is pending in Tippecanoe Circuit Court.
Meanwhile, the officers at Neal’s door that night did not receive any disciplinary actions, according to police.
Lafayette City Attorney Jacque Chosnek declined to comment about pending litigation.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette officers won’t be charged for forcing their way into Maple Street home
Reporting by Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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