Three years after his death, Ernest Satterwhite's family continues fight for justice

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017

(News 12 NBC 26 News At 11)

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The video tells the story of a wild, lengthy car chase through North Augusta that ended not in a crash, but with the suspect pulling into his own driveway.

But what happened afterwards has a local family still crying for justice three years later.

The family of Ernest Satterwhite says they are still looking for answers after a former North Augusta Public Safety officer shot Satterwhite following a 2014 car chase. That officer, Justin Craven, took a guilty plea deal to misconduct in office, but avoided jail time.

More than three years after his death got national attention, his family says they are still hoping for answers.

"Right now where we are in the investigation," says Brandon Dotson, "is not a good place."

It's that sentiment surrounding Ernest Satterwhite's family after hearing from officials with the Department of Justice in October. Satterwhite family counselor Brandon Dotson, who along with the National Action Network has helped get their case to a federal investigation by the FBI and DOJ, says the punishment that came down is still not enough.

"We are not here to sentence anybody and we understand officers put their lives on the line every single day," Dotson says. "But we are here to at least see that justice is heard. 80 hours of community service and three years of probation is not indicative of justice being served."

They say a letter from the Department of Justice last month proves their point. After a lengthy investigation from the DOJ, officials concluded there was not enough evidence to bring extra charges against Craven.

It reads in part, "The government would have to prove not only that Officer Craven used force that was constitutionally unreasonable, but that he did so "willfully," which the Supreme Court has interpreted to mean he acted with a bad purpose to disregard the law. As this requirement has been interpreted by the courts, evidence that an officer acted out of fear, mistake, panic, misperception, negligence, or even poor judgment cannot establish the high level of intent."

"In this case, there is insufficient evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer [Justin] Craven acted with the requisite criminal intent. The testimonial and physical evidence would not enable prosecutors to refute Officer Craven's account that he used no more force than he reasonably believed necessary to protect himself or that he used force for any purpose other than stopping a perceived threat."

"We understand that you may be greatly disappointed by this determination. However, please be assured that the Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the FBI conducted a complete, independent, and thorough review of the events surrounding your father's death. Again, please accept our condolences on the loss of your father. We regret that we cannot be of further assistance to you."

But the family says the police dash-cam video says it all - a slow speed chase that ends without a fight, with Satterwhite just pulling into his driveway. They say Officer Craven did used aggressive and unnecessary force when he approached Satterwhite's car, got into an altercation and fired several shots.

Dotson says they want the chance for a South Carolina grand jury to see that video.

"The tape was not able to be released until after the case, the initial sentence," Dotson says. "National Action Network is going to work with the family on getting proper documentation and correspondence to the state Attorney General's office."

He says all they're asking is another chance and for a jury to decide this time after seeing this video evidence.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions ruled back in February the DOJ was going to start pulling back on suing local police departments for violating the civil rights of minorities.

The family, upset by this ruling, is appealing the decision. They feel they can get this in front of a grand jury again, but the family is still waiting to hear back from the state Attorney General.

They're hoping to hear back as soon as next week and we'll keep you updated on the latest.