More cell phone video showing police interacting with a Vineland, New Jersey man ahead of his death surfaced Friday. The latest footage provides a clearer view of the final moments of Phillip White's life -- which involved officer behavior that one expert found questionable and led the man's family to launch an independent investigation.
Thirty-two-year-old White died Tuesday while in police custody. Vineland Police Officers had retrained him on the 100 block of Grape Street in Vineland a short time earlier in response to reports of a disorderly person.
The expert -- a top ranking law enforcement official and former use of force instructor -- spoke anonymously about what transpired on the tape.
The official, who is not connected to the investigation, said officers should have called off the dog immediately after bringing White under control. He also said the officer who demanded the person recording the video turn over his cell phone had no right to do so.
White's family retained attorney, Conrad Benedetto, to conduct an independent investigation into the 32-year-old man's death, according to a news release.
"There are great concerns about the circumstances that surround this death," Benedetto said. "Mr. White's demise is the second police-involved force incident in Cumberland County within 91 days. The public and Mr. White's family deserve answers as to how Phillip was killed and why there is a lack of oversight of local police."
Benedetto is also representing the family of 36-year-old Jarame Reid, who died in late December after a police officer shot him during a traffic stop in Bridgeton, New Jersey. A police patrol car's camera captured the deadly traffic stop.
Another, grainier video, depicting the same interaction between White and Vineland Police, began spreading on social media Thursday. The Cumberland County Prosecutor Office confirmed that video, which runs for 76 seconds, is under review as part of the investigation into what occurred in the moments between officers arrived at the scene and White's transport to the hospital.
Vineland Police declined to comment Thursday on the first recording. NBC10 reached out to the department and prosecutors Friday for a response to the second video, but they did not immediately return calls.
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Anyone with information on any video recordings of the incident should call Sergeant Scott Collins (856-466-5127) or SAC E. Ronald Cuff (609-381-4890) of the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.
