Overview

• Leonard Cure, a Black man who had been wrongfully imprisoned for 16 years, was fatally shot by a white Georgia deputy during a traffic stop. Cure was suspected of reckless driving and was reportedly shot after he physically resisted arrest.
• Cure's family and representatives from the Innocence Project of Florida believe that Cure's response was triggered by psychological trauma from his years in prison and fear of re-arrest. Authorities are investigating whether the deputy unnecessarily escalated the situation and resorted to excessive force too quickly.
• Body camera and dash camera footage released by the Camden County Sheriff’s Office shows Cure questioning the reason for his arrest and refusing to comply, followed by a physical struggle between Cure and the deputy. The deputy had initially threatened to use a stun gun and later shot Cure at close range.
• The deputy, whose name has not been released, has been placed on administrative leave pending a review of the incident by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The findings will then be given to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney who will determine whether to seek charges.
• Cure was wrongfully convicted of armed robbery in 2003 and served a life sentence until 2020 when new evidence surfaced proving his innocence. After his release, Cure was awarded $817,000 by the state of Florida for his wrongful conviction and incarceration.