LITTLE ROCK -- The attorney for a police officer fired for fatally shooting a black motorist asked an Arkansas judge Friday to hold Little Rock's mayor and police chief in contempt, saying they haven't fully complied with an order to reinstate the officer.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox scheduled a hearing for Tuesday morning on the motion by Officer Charles Starks, who was fired over the fatal shooting last year of Bradley Blackshire. Fox on Jan. 2 ordered the city to reinstate Starks.
Starks' attorney said Starks has only been placed on "relieved of duty" status and will not be issued his badge, identification or gun.
Starks fired at least 15 times through the windshield of a car Blackshire was driving in February. Starks and another officer were attempting a motor vehicle stop at the time. Police commanders fired Starks in May, saying he violated department policy.
Fox ruled this month that a 30-day suspension and reduction in salary to an entry level officer were more appropriate sanctions.
An attorney for Little Rock said the city believes it has complied given that Fox placed no restrictions on the duties it could assign or not assign Starks while it appeals his order.
State Desk on 01/19/2020