Georgia Deputy Shooting Exoneree Traffic Stop Case Details

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Deadly Traffic Stop: When “Reasonable Force” Sparked National Outrage

Georgia deputy Buck Aldridge fired a fatal shot at Leonard Cure during an October 2023 traffic stop near the Florida border. The incident began when Aldridge pulled Cure over for allegedly speeding—a claim his family disputes. Bodycam footage later showed a physical altercation erupting after Cure refused to comply with orders to exit his vehicle. A stun gun deployment escalated tensions further before the deadly outcome. (NBC Miami)

District Attorney Keith Higgins faced immediate backlash after clearing Aldridge of criminal charges. Prosecutors claimed Cure’s brief grip on the deputy’s throat justified lethal force. This rationale bewildered many given Cure’s exoneration history and Aldridge’s checkered past. Systemic questions about accountability flared as bodycam snippets circulated publicly. (CBS News)

Exoneree’s Redemption Cut Short: A Life Rebuilt Then Erased

Leonard Cure spent 16 years imprisoned for a robbery he didn’t commit. The Innocence Project of Florida helped overturn his wrongful conviction in 2020. By 2023 he’d bought his first home and reconnected with family. His death reignited debates about how society treats exonerees. (CBS News)

Advocates emphasize Cure’s case exemplifies systemic failure. Wrongful conviction survivors often face lingering distrust of authority. His story’s violent end underscores the fragility of second chances in marginalized communities. Criminal justice reformers now demand policy safeguards for exonerees nationwide. (Everytown)

Deputy’s Troubled Past Meets Flawed Accountability System

Buck Aldridge’s personnel file reveals a pattern of violent conduct. The Kingsland PD fired him in 2017 after three excessive force incidents. Camden County inexplicably rehired him nine months later. This revolving door policy enabled his return to active duty despite red flags. (CBS News)

Legal experts argue departments often prioritize staffing over accountability. Aldridge’s attorney defended his “12 years of service” but critics note armed roles demand higher scrutiny. Cure’s family contends negligent hiring practices doomed their loved one. Their $16M lawsuit could set precedents for officer vetting standards. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.