Winter Springs, Fla. – Kevin Finley walked away from a courtroom victory after a video from his Tesla showed he never fled a traffic stop in 2024. The footage proved the officer’s claim of reckless driving was false, leading a judge to acquit Finley of all charges.
Video evidence clears the accused
Finley was driving home from dropping his children at daycare when Officer Erik Schwartz stopped him near his house, alleging Finley was speeding through an intersection and attempting to flee. Schwartz ordered Finley to turn around, get on his knees, and placed him in handcuffs for 33 minutes. Finley says he never saw the patrol car’s lights or heard sirens.
At trial in July, Finley presented the Tesla’s rear‑camera recording. The video showed the unmarked patrol car’s lights for only a brief moment and demonstrated that Finley’s vehicle maintained traction, contradicting the officer’s report that the car “lost traction and fish‑tailed.” The judge, noting the clear discrepancy, acquitted Finley of the felony fleeing charge and issued only traffic citations.
Officer resigns amid investigation
Following the acquittal, Winter Springs Police Chief Matthew Tracht announced that Officer Schwartz resigned amid an internal investigation. In a Facebook post, Chief Tracht wrote, “Based on the circumstances surrounding this matter, the conduct did not meet the standards and expectations I have for the officers who serve this department and our community.” He added that the situation could have been handled differently and that lessons must be learned.
Finley expressed relief, saying the verdict was “the first step” toward accountability and that the community feels safer now. He also noted that the chief’s apology, delivered two years after the incident, felt insincere.
Calls for reform and potential civil action
The case has sparked discussion among Winter Springs residents about police transparency and the importance of body‑camera footage. Finley plans to file a civil lawsuit against the city for the wrongful arrest and the trauma of being detained at gunpoint.
Local leaders emphasized the need for continued oversight of law‑enforcement practices. “We must ensure our officers act with integrity and respect for the rights of law‑abiding citizens,” said a city council member who asked to remain unnamed.
What this means for the community
The resignation sends a clear message that misuse of police authority will not be tolerated in Winter Springs. Residents hope the incident will prompt stricter adherence to proper traffic‑stop procedures and reinforce the value of technology—like dash‑cams—in protecting citizens’ rights.
Winter Springs Police Department has not released further details about the internal investigation, but the department’s leadership affirmed a commitment to rebuilding trust with the community.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
