Family of Jacqueline Craig relieved after Fort Worth officer's arrest for new incident
FORT WORTH — The family of Jacqueline Craig expressed relief after learning that Fort Worth police officer William Martin, whom they accused of using excessive force during her controversial arrest eight years ago, has now been arrested for a new incident.
Craig's cousin, Rod Smith, vividly recalls the 2016 incident.
Craig called 911 to report that a neighbor had attacked her child. Body camera footage showed Martin responding by slamming Craig to the ground and arresting her.
Martin was suspended for 10 days but kept his job, while Craig sued the city for excessive force.
The case settled, awarding Craig $150,000 before she passed away in 2023.
"Money was never the goal. The goal was to get Officer Martin terminated and hold him accountable for his actions," Smith said.
Earlier this month, on September 3, Martin was off duty when he claimed a man tried to ram him with his vehicle after a hit-and-run incident on I-35W.
Martin fired shots at the reportedly unarmed driver, who survived.
Friday, Fort Worth police determined there was enough probable cause to arrest Martin for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Smith said the news of Martin's arrest came as a relief to the family, though the pain from the 2016 incident remains.
"It would not negate the fact that this has happened, but it would bring a sense of calm to the whole mess," he said.
CBS News Texas obtained Martin's sworn statement to investigators. In it, Martin described the events of September 3 as "stressful and at times terrifying." He said he acted under his duty according to Texas law, as there were no other officers at the scene.
Martin's attorney said they look forward to an impartial review of the facts to determine whether Martin was justified in firing shots.
Meanwhile, Craig's family is focused on holding Martin accountable.
"We finally are able to hold him accountable. Now it's our job to work to ensure he's terminated and make sure he's held accountable by a jury of his peers," Smith said.
Martin was booked into the Tarrant County Jail and released on bond. He is still employed by the Fort Worth Police Department, currently on detached duty, pending an internal affairs investigation.