For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Tabitha Doddridge Khayyam M. Eddings
Director, Marketing & PR Attorney
tdoddridge@fridayfirm.com keddings@fridayfirm.com
(501) 370-1455 (501) 370-1417

City Attorney Issues Statement Following Reinstatement

of LRPD Officer Starks
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (January 2, 2020) – The following is a statement made by Khayyam M. Eddings of
Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP in response to LRPD Officer Charles Starks’ reinstatement. Eddings and attorney
Michael S. Moore have served as the city’s attorneys on this case.

On behalf of the City of Little Rock, we respectfully believe that the Court erred.

The Court found that Officer Starks clearly violated General Order 303.II.E.2 of the Little Rock Police
Department.

The Court also found that he made several non-emergency decisions that caused his violation of the General
Order.

Finally, the Court found that “there is no question [Officer] Starks’ violation of Little Rock Police Department
General Order 303.II.E.2 had serious and substantial consequences.”

Mr. Bradley Blackshire suffered the most serious and substantial consequence of Officer Starks’ violation of the
General Order when he lost his life.

However, the Court made no analysis of mitigating factors that would justify a lesser penalty than termination -
which it said is the absolute most severe consequence that could be levied against Officer Starks in this case.

Most often used in mitigation is acceptance of responsibility. In this case, Officer Starks steadfastly refused to
accept responsibility for what the Court held was a clear violation of the General Order 303.II.E.2.

Understanding these facts, as counsel for the City of Little Rock we intend to appeal the Court’s decision and ask
the Court to stay its order reinstating Officer Starks pending the appeal.

About Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP

Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP serves business, non-profit, governmental and individual clients in Arkansas and across the
United States. It is one of the oldest law firms in the state and has been the largest Arkansas-based law firm for more than
50 years. The firm has practice areas focusing on General Litigation; Class Action and Business Litigation; Railroad;
Labor and Employment; Medical Malpractice; Public Finance; Healthcare; Estate Planning and Probate; Employee
Benefits; Real Estate and Commercial Transactions; and Mergers and Acquisitions. Friday, Eldredge & Clark has offices
in Little Rock and Rogers, Arkansas. For more information, visit www.fridayfirm.com.

400 W. Capitol Ave. Suite 2000 I Little Rock, AR 72201

3350 S. Pinnacle Hills Pkwy. Suite 301 I Rogers, AR 72758
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