'Average Detroiter would have been arrested'

DETROIT (WXYZ) — Twenty-four hours after news broke of the Detroit Lions’ near-arrest, wide receiver Jameson Williams, a local criminal defense attorney and Detroit police chief, said “the average Detroiter would have been arrested” if they had been in Williams’ shoes.

The star wide receiver came into contact with police after midnight on Oct. 8 when officers stopped a vehicle driven by Williams’ brother near the corner of Conner Street and Jefferson Avenue. According to the police, the car was stopped for speeding.

When questioned by an officer, Williams’ brother revealed that there were two guns in the car: the first was in the back seat and the second was under Williams’ seat, according to police.

Officers discovered the gun in the backseat was registered to Williams’ brother, who had a concealed pistol permit, or CPL.

Detroit police are investigating why Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams avoided arrest after gun was found in car

Although the gun under Williams’ seat was registered in his name, he did not possess a CPL. An officer handcuffed Williams and planned to arrest him, but after a sergeant was notified that Williams was in custody, the decision was made to release him and return his gun.

“I’m being pulled over, I have a gun under my seat, I don’t have a permit, I’m being charged,” said criminal defense attorney Anjali Prasad. “Actually, I’m going to jail that night.”

Prasad defends citizens accused of carrying a concealed weapon, and she prosecuted them. She worked for the Philadelphia District Attorney for fifteen years and then spent four years at the US Attorney’s Office in Detroit.

“In Michigan you need a (concealed pistol license). You need a permit to carry a concealed handgun,” she said. “And I have to tell you, it’s not that hard to get.”

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To obtain a CPL, a candidate must complete gun safety training along with a background check. Prasad says it is a simple but important process.

“What happens if there’s a car accident and it turns hostile? What happens if there is road rage?” Prasad asked. “I think the idea is: citizens, show us that you are responsible… because then we can feel a little better as a state when you drive around with your gun.”

Watch the interaction between the officer, Williams and Williams’ brother in the video below

Video shows Detroit police officer interacting with Lions WR Jameson Williams

Willams’ attorney Todd Flood says he believes Williams’ brother’s pistol permit would also apply to the wide receiver’s gun and therefore it was legal for Williams to have the gun in the car.

Detroit Police Chief Ricardo Moore oversees the department and says he is pleased the department has launched an internal investigation into the arrest.

“The average Detroiter would have been arrested,” Moore said. “Detroit police officers arrest people with guns every day. They do a fine job. This situation is different.”

See the video below of the officer holding Williams and speaking

Video shows a Detroit police officer holding Jameson Williams

Late last week, Detroit police filed a warrant with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

At an unrelated news conference Wednesday, prosecutor Kym Worthy and Police Chief James White were both asked about the case.

“We just received that warrant. We need to look at it and treat it like we would any other case, as far as looking at it and seeing if we can file charges,” Worthy said. “And if we can charge, what can we charge. We just don’t know that at this point.”

Watch more reactions about Williams’ arrest in the video below:

More reaction to Jameson Williams incident with DPD

White said the matter was being investigated by internal affairs and withheld further comment.

Detroit has learned that while DPD conducts its internal investigation into the stop, officials requested and received Williams’ gun as part of their investigation.

The NFL released a statement Wednesday saying the Lions have informed the league of the Williams incident and would have no further comment.