SMITHFIELD – Tuesday night, two members of the Smithfield Town Council discussed the recent arrest of a suspect by Smithfield Police that made news headlines.
Council members Travis Scott and Marlon Lee expressed displeasure at the lack of information and transparency in the controversial arrest of Terrence Ellis in the parking lot of the Amazon warehouse at 2095 W. Market Street.
Video taken from several eyewitnesses was posted on social media following the Oct. 18 incident. The video appears to show a policeman punch Ellis in the face while the officer is on top of him. Additional eyewitness video of the arrest surfaced just this week.
Councilman Scott said he has “major concerns” and wants town staff to provide answers. Scott said he was told Mr. Ellis was stopped sometime prior to the incident that led to the chase and police told Ellis to leave his car beside the road. “If he was impaired why wasn’t it identified initially?”
Councilman Scott said he was told the initial traffic stop happened one mile from Amazon as Mr. Ellis was driving to work at Amazon. He said Mr. Ellis was told to leave his car beside the road. “Did we help him get to work?… What can we do to deescalate, and not escalate a crisis?”
“I’m concerned the officer is still on the job today. I support law enforcement and law enforcement has a job to do. It just seems inappropriate.”
Scott said the Town should be more forthcoming with information to the public and based on the length of time that has passed… “it is apparent the Town is not being transparent.”
Councilman Scott said he has been contacted by two different media organizations. He said both have complained about their difficulty in getting information from the Town.
Councilman Marlon Lee agreed with Councilman Travis Scott and had harsh words for Town Manager Mike Scott and Police Chief Pete Hedrick.
Lee said Ellis is now afraid to come to Smithfield because of the police department. “He is scared of the people (that are) suppose to serve and protect.”
“We’ve got some serious problems around here,” Lee said while raising his voice. The police department received federal funds for body cameras on Aug. 15, 2024 but they are still not in use. “Maybe the town doesn’t want them… Something is not right. Transparency goes both ways.”
Speaking to Police Chief Hedrick, Councilman Lee said, “Lets get something done. Its not about the quantity (of officers), its quality.” Lee added, “Community policing is more than dropping off snacks at the Sarah Yard Community Center.”
Addressing Town Manager Mike Scott and Chief Hedrick, Councilman Lee stated, “If I had the votes tonight I’d fire both of you all.”
Chief Hedrick said federal funding for the body cameras was only recently released. The cameras will arrive this week and be operational within 2 weeks.
Chief Hedrick said the internal investigation into the arrest of Terrence Ellis has been submitted to the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office for their review. He did not disclose any additional information.
On Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Paul Jackson told The Johnston County Report the matter is still under review.
Terrence Ellis is facing numerous charges from the Oct. 18 incident including felony fleeing to elude arrest, felony assault causing physical injury on a law enforcement officer, driving on a revoked license from a previous DWI conviction, resisting a public officer, driving while impaired, and possession of a controlled substance on jail premises.
Only people with criminal thinking and criminal sympathy would protect and cry foul over taking a person off of the street that put others at risk. Would you cry out for the people he could have killed while driving recklessly?
If he would have followed the law none of this would have happened. If you do the crime be prepared to do the time when you get caught.
Seems like the councilman needs to understand that during an investigation you shouldn’t be releasing information to the public other than what they probably already released. It undermines the legitimacy of any investigation if you release information hastily. Once the DA’s Office concludes their investigation then release everything to the news. Its getting to the point the news media needs to calm their jets a bit. And it also seems that the councilman that was getting so worked up could sit down and have a conversation with the Town Manager and Police Chief instead of throwing a tantrum at a meeting, no need to virtue signal because it gets nothing done.
Simply don’t run from the po po. Stupidist thing to do (besides why you’re running in the first place.
I think schools should have a mandatory class on what happens when you break the law, try to elude, run your mouth…. might save lives.
Clearly Stated “Chief Hedrick said the internal investigation into the arrest of Terrence Ellis has been submitted to the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office for their review. He did not disclose any additional information.
On Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Paul Jackson told The Johnston County Report the matter is still under review.”
Why are you making a scene about something that has been given to the County Attorney? The man was impaired and had a controlled substance but you’re worried about the fact that he is fearful to return to Smithfield? we don’t want this type of trash in our town!
If the police officer did abuse his authority, it should come out with the County Attorney and it’s investigation. If it doesn’t, then you start screaming for transparency.