Jafari Stewart, a 39-year-old father from Huntsville, Texas, was acquitted of felony charges accusing him of assaulting two police officers during a 2025 welfare check. His son’s cellphone video became a crucial part of his defense, giving jurors a recording of part of the encounter and allowing them to see events surrounding his arrest.

The incident began on March 28, 2025, when two officers went to Stewart’s home after receiving a report concerning children. Stewart said he was not home when officers first arrived and that his three children were staying with a neighbor. When he returned, he told officers everything was fine but refused to allow them inside. He said the officers then entered and attempted to arrest him.

Prosecutors accused Stewart of spitting in one officer’s face and shoving another during the struggle. However, according to reporting by Atlanta Black Star, Stewart’s attorney said both officers’ body cameras fell during the confrontation and did not capture the alleged assault. The available recordings also did not contain audio showing Stewart spitting or shoving an officer. His son’s video provided an important piece of evidence for the defense.

After spending 16 months fighting the felony allegations, Stewart was acquitted. He said the video potentially saved him from prison or from accepting a plea deal for something he insisted he did not do. Stewart had hoped to become a police officer himself, and he said a felony conviction could have destroyed that dream. He still faces misdemeanor charges for resisting arrest and failure to identify.