JONESBORO, AR (abc24.com) - The mother of a Southaven man found suffering from a gunshot wound in the back of a Jonesboro Police Department patrol car says she doesn't buy a newly released re-enactment video the department says shows it is possible for handcuffed person to shoot themselves.
Teresa Carter says the video doesn't change her mind, she maintains Chavis Carter was murdered.
Jonesboro Police pulled Carter and two other men over late last month. Carter was arrested after police said they found he had about $10 worth of marijuana on him.
According to police, Carter was frisked, put in the back of the patrol car, and then frisked again.
Minutes later, two patrolmen reported hearing a sound, and found Carter suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
After the incident, Carter's mom said she believed he was shot by someone else, but Police Chief Michael Yates said evidence suggested Carter shot himself.
Police said the 2-minute video was produced to show it is possible for someone to shoot themselves in the head, even while handcuffed.
"I just don't believe it, because I have tested myself to see if I could do it," said Dr. George Grant, a board member with the Jonesboro chapter of the NAACP. "Someone shot him, someone shot him. It is clear, someone shot him in the head."
"Explain to me how a person is searched twice, they find a small quantity of marijuana but they miss the gun? Ok?" he added.
More than 75 people attended a community forum on Tuesday night to discuss Carter's death.
"I think it is a cold blooded, calculated, pre-meditated lie to deceive us," said Isaac Richmond when asked about the police video. "Chavis Carter was murdered and those who were with him know who did it."
Police Chief Yates has said he will release dash cam video of the incident once the investigation is complete. Preliminary autopsy results were still pending Tuesday night.
The two officers involved in Carter's traffic stop remain on paid administrative leave.
