A Maryland man who was accused of attempting to kill a police officer two years ago saw some measure of justice on Wednesday when a jury acquitted him on all charges.
However, for Kevin Sneed, the moment was bittersweet as he recounts to NBC Washington the depression and loss of hope that his situation caused.
“I felt like the system was going to work against me, regardless,” he said.
Sneed’s battle began two years ago during a traffic stop.
A Prince George’s County Police officer claimed that he stopped Sneed for a broken taillight and also because there was a “robbery in the immediate vicinity the previous night.” The officer claimed that Sneed sped up his vehicle during the stop.
Then fearing that the driver had a gun, the officer thought that the next logical thing to do was jump into the driver’s side window of Sneed’s vehicle. However, when the car was searched, no guns or drugs were found.
Nonetheless, Sneed was charged with attempted murder of an officer.
“They told me no bond and they told me what I was actually charged with,” Sneed said. “I said, ‘Just let me go to my cell.”
Sneed said that the arresting officer beat him up that day, causing bruises.
Sneed did get his charges reduced to second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, and he was offered a plea deal with no jail time if he admitted guilt, however he refused, maintaining his innocence throughout the past two years.
“At the end of the day, I would be a fool to take it and then they play with my life,” Sneed said.
Sneed’s mother, Kema Harris, got help from activist group Life after Release, which also enlisted the help of Black Lives Matter DC to get Sneed a new defense team.
“We were able to get a Black Lives Matter support fund for Kevin’s defense and get him away from public defenders who didn’t have his best interest,” Black Lives Matter Core Organizer Nee Nee Taylor told NBC Washington.
After a two-day trial, Sneed was clear to walk free, an innocent man.
“If you did not do anything wrong, fight for your life,” Sneed said.