Entire family jailed after argument with officers
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As for what transpired to send a father, mother and their two sons to jail, and leave the father shot by a deputy’s taser, the stories vary. Both sides maintain the other acted irresponsibly.
“This is a fine upstanding family,” said attorney Michael Galligan who is representing the Champion family in their criminal case. “These deputies acted in a harmful and inappropriate manner. We feel their actions violated the law.”
Meanwhile Sheriff Jackie Matheny said he is backing his men, noting he feels they were in the right.
“These aren’t rookies out there,” Matheny said. “They have over 40 years of combined experience and excellent work records. They were as surprised by the Champions’ conduct as anyone.”
The incident began last week when Lance E. Champion, 23, reportedly pulled in behind Deputy Lt. Stan Hillis across from Warren County Jail. Champion, who was on his way back to college after attending an event at his church, reportedly told the deputy that he (the deputy) had been speeding. It is not known why Champion decided to confront the officer about the lawman’s alleged violation of the speed law.
At that point a conversation transpired between the two, at the end of which Champion was placed into custody on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and evading arrest as he was about to leave.
After being placed into custody, Champion reportedly called his mother, Janice K. Champion, 48, from his cell phone, prompting her and her 17-year-old son to come to the location. When they arrived, a conversation began between Mrs. Champion and the officers who were preparing to tow Lance Champion’s vehicle. It was during the conversations that the teen allegedly slapped the hand of one of the deputies as the officer was gesturing for them to leave the area.
“If you strike an officer, you’re going to jail 100 percent of the time,” Matheny said.
Mrs. Champion was also taken into custody minutes later, bringing the total of Champions in custody to three. As to what prompted her arrest, accounts are conflicting, with officers saying she was loud and refused to obey orders while the Champions maintain she couldn’t leave the area because she could not drive either of the straight shift vehicles. She is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
It was minutes later the father, Hal Champion, 47, who had been at church, arrived to find his family had all been arrested. A conversation then occurred between Mr. Champion and what had become a larger contingent of county officers. It was during the conversation Champion was tased by an officer and taken into custody on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
The officers maintain they were well in their rights to arrest the family due to their conduct and that they have civilian witnesses who will support their accounts. There are no in-car video cameras to support the story of either side. The suspects also maintain they have civilian accounts which support their version of events.
The defense for the Champions maintains the officers overreacted and that they abused their authority, noting the Champions are a well-respected family.
“She’s a church secretary and Mr. Champion is well-respected in the community and these are good kids,” Galligan said. “People who know them will tell you that what officers are saying happened is too far out of character for these people. They are very disappointed with law enforcement.”
By the same token, Matheny said his men were surprised by the conduct they witnessed on the part of the suspects.
“They were very disappointed on how these people behaved,” Matheny said. “Given what I’ve heard, and I have looked into this, I feel the officers acted appropriately and I’m supporting my men.
“I know these men. Stan is the same officer who pulled a baby out of burning house a few years back and Seth Webb is one of the meekest people you’ll ever meet. And, it wasn’t just them. There were other officers there too who couldn’t believe what they were seeing.”
The charges against the Champions are misdemeanor charges and may be settled by trial held before Judge Larry Ross. However, the defense could opt for a preliminary hearing at which time the cases would either be dismissed or bound over to the grand jury. Once at the grand jury level, the defense could choose to present a counter case against the officers. There have been no statements as to whether the Champions plan to file a lawsuit. They are all free on bond.