Brawling and Hollering in Arkansas

There was much hollering going on in Arkansas…
Wade GRIFFIN, Jr. v. STATE of Arkansas
Appellant’s automobile overturned in a ditch. The police were called. Officers Harold Vines and David Ederington arrived at the scene, and saw a crowd of people gathered there.

The officers got out of the police car and Vines asked if anyone was hurt. Upon receiving a negative response from an unidentified person, Vines then asked who was driving the vehicle.

Appellant, who was standing beside his vehicle, stepped forward, said “I was. I’m not scared, I’ve been in the war. I wasn’t killed over there. I’m not going to be killed here. Take me, G . . . d . . . you, if you can,” and started toward Vines with his fists.

Vines attempted to halt Griffin by use of chemical mace, to no avail. Griffin started hitting the officer, who then attempted to defend himself by striking appellant twice with a “slapper.” A group of young colored males then “swarmed” him. Vines observed that some of the crowd had Ederington down in the street.

Griffin was immediately in front of Vines, swinging at and striking him, while the others came up behind the officer and to his side. They knocked Vines down in the ditch, with all of the participants on top of him. Griffin was then on top of Vines, and the others at his side.

Griffin was beating the officer with his fists and kicking him and “hollering” all the while. At the same time, the other participants were kicking the policeman about his arms and legs, and striking him about his face, nose and side.

They were also “hollering.” Vines, feeling that he and his companion were about to be killed, drew his pistol and fired at appellant, who was still kicking and beating the officer. Griffin was struck about his chest and backed away, as did the others. Vines said, however, that they were all still “hollering” at the police officers, cursing them and saying “that they were going to get us.”

As Ederington went to assist Vines, after having heard Griffin’s statement to the officer when that officer and Griffin started “scuffling,” he was “jumped” by two or three persons from the crowd, and knocked to the street. After he had “scuffed around” with them for three or four seconds he heard the report of a gun and saw everyone start backing away.

From his position on the ground, he then saw Vines leaning against a fence over in the ditch with his nose bleeding. Ederington saw Griffin standing about five feet from Vines. He heard Vines “holler” at the people standing around that if they didn’t want Griffin shot again they had better come get him. At that time Griffin was still trying to advance toward officer Vines. Appellant’s father then came and tried to hold him back.
Griffin v. State, 248 Ark. 1223 (Ark. 1970).

And no, I have no idea why this brawl broke out.