Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Bucks County District Attorney David Heckeler said Wednesday evening that some of the information about 14-year-old Joseph Williams arrest was not factually incorrect.
The teen, he said, wasn’t in the patrol car handcuffed, despite earlier reports, “but outside” of the vehicle “leaning on it” before running off towards Route 13 traffic and being tased by Tullytown police. Heckler also said, and wanted to clear up for the record, that he “believed at the time” Williams was on probation, and reports from several outlets of that being a fact “were mistaken.”
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On Sunday, LevittowNow.com reported Heckler’s belief with the qualification that he still had to make sure of that information because information about the incident last week came from a probation officer.
”I did learn that the minor has not been previously adjudicated,” he said.
Heckler added county detectives are now investigating the matter and had “some” police files from Tullytown’s investigation. Those files have been turned over to his office and won’t comment further about the probe until “all the facts are in.”
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In a related matter, organizers for next Wednesday’s scheduled ‘Justice for Joey” rally and Tullytown officials are scheduled to meet Monday in order to facilitate a “peaceful” rally, both sides told LevittownNow.com late Wednesday evening. Additionally, rally organizer and private investigator Gregg Brinkley requested that District Heckler remove himself from the investigation because he’s “compromised his position” about the incident last week with regards to his public comments about Williams being on probation.
Heckler said the request is “just fine” with him, adding that his office is now investigating the incident that has lead to the controversy.
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“We don’t have an issue with the residents of Tullytown,” Brinkley said. “Our issue is with the police department and its treatment of a 14-year-old, and our aim is to get that message across.”
Asked about concerns safety concerns for all of those who attend, Brinkley said, “we plan to hold a peaceful demonstration and want the community to know that.”
Rally organizers will meet with Tullytown Solicitor Michael Sellers Monday to discuss planning of the rally and maintaining an atmosphere of safe and free expression.
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Tullytown Mayor Dave Cutchineal and councilman Ed Armstrong echoed the same sentiment.
“We believe in the constitutional right to rally and protest,” Armstrong said, adding “we just hope and want to see a peaceful rally.”
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The mayor said there was no official application made to the borough to hold a rally although there is a “big event” ordinance in place that is more specific to events like the St. Michel’s Carnival held every summer.
Tullytown Solicitor Michael Sellers was not available for comment due to travel, however, Brinkley said he looks forward to meeting with the legal representative in order to keep lines of communication open and clear.
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Armstrong also added later through email that can’t find the words ‘parade’, ‘protest’ or ‘gathering’ in the Tullytown large event Ordinance which those in the community have asked this reporter about throughout late Tuesday night and Wednesday.
In response to the rally announcement earlier on Wednesday, the Lower Bucks First Responders Facebook page and several personal accounts posted an image with a call to “Support the Tullytown Police Department.”
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