Judge Declares Conway Police Chief Hid Records, Was Untruthful & Violated FOIA In Brittany Byrd Case
Judge Weaver leaves no doubt with her strong direct words.
Feb 28, 2026
Faulkner County Circuit Judge Susan Weaver’s words told Chief Chris Harris to his face that he violated FOIA….that she knew he had hidden records from Byrd….and that she knew he had lied to the court to try and cover his actions.
You gotta hear this story.
On June 30th, 2025, Conway Police Chief Chris Harris terminated Officer Brittany Byrd as a result of an Administrative Inquiry into her. The story of that termination not only captured the interest of Conway residents, it garnered Statewide attention.
Harris and Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry drew widespread criticism for Byrd’s termination that was ultimately upheld by the Civil Service Commission in a split decision vote.
Byrd has appealed that decision to the Faulkner County Circuit Court and that trial is scheduled for September 29th.
In June 2025 (2nd, 4th, 8th & 12th) Byrd submitted Freedom of Information requests to Harris for records needed to defend herself in that inquiry.
Even though these records were clearly disclosable under the law, Harris denied the requests.
On June 27th Byrd, through her attorney Robert Newcomb, filed a lawsuit against Harris, Castleberry and the City of Conway for denial of the records. Later Castleberry was removed from the suit.
On July 29th Circuit Judge Susan Weaver ordered Harris to release the records to Byrd….records she desperately needed to properly defend herself at the Civil Service hearings on her case.
Harris provided some of the records to Byrd but shockingly defied Weaver’s order by withholding over sixteen of the records from her that he was ordered to provide.
On August 5th, 2025, Newcomb filed a motion for contempt on Byrd’s behalf against the Conway Police Department for violating Weaver’s Order.
A hearing was held on December 4th, 2025, on the motion.
By the end of that hearing, it was easy to see Weaver’s aggravation and frustration on the matter.
She ordered Byrd’s attorneys and City Attorney Charles Finkenbinder, who was representing Harris and the City, to provide her post hearing briefs.
She then told both parties that she would more than likely call them back into her Court to issue her ruling and order to them in person….That was a strong hint that she wanted everyone to personally hear her displeasure on the matter.
A hearing was scheduled for February 12th and at that hearing it was plain to see from the start that Weaver was not merely displeased….she was pissed off.
Not at all at Byrd….but at Harris, Finkenbinder and Newcomb.
Right off the bat she stated – “Counsel on both sides have failed to provide competent and reasonable advocacy, and it has materially impeded this Court’s ability to adjudicate this matter efficiently and fairly.”
While she went into great detail to explain her displeasure with Finkenbinder, she was ultimately more put out with Newcomb….You will see why in just a minute.
At this point it is important to point out that the complaint of violating FOIA was against Harris and the City of Conway. Under the law Harris is the Custodian of the records, so the buck stops with him.
Weaver sternly stated –
“Do I think that the — that FOIA was violated?….Yes.”
“Do I think they were playing hide the ball with the information?….Yes.”
“Do I think that they were not forthcoming and misrepresenting the truth?….Yes.”
“Can I hold them in contempt?….No.”
Weaver had just told Harris to his face that he violated FOIA….that she knew he had hidden records from Byrd….and that she knew he had lied to the court to try and cover his actions.
She also told Harris that she could not do what she clearly wanted to do and that was to hold him in contempt of Court for violating her order.
Why couldn’t she ?
Because of Byrd’s attorney Robert Newcomb’s malpractice….That’s the only way to describe his actions.
When Newcomb filed the motion for Contempt he named the Conway Police Department as the defendant. The motion should have named Harris and the City of Conway as defendants.
Weaver explained the reason she could not hold Harris in contempt by stating – “Because the Motion to Show Cause for Contempt lists Conway Police Department as a party. Conway Police Department is not, and has never been, a party to this case.”
Newcomb’s mistake is akin to a surgeon removing the wrong kidney.
As bad as Harris’ actions clearly angered Weaver, she seemed even more angry at Newcomb’s malpractice because it handcuffed her from taking action against Harris.
Now I could have written the article the day after the hearing but here’s why I didn’t.
Weaver clearly put a lot of hours and thought into making her ruling.
Her words at the hearing were so powerful that I wanted to wait until I had obtained the transcript of the hearing so I could provide it to the public.
It is attached and I highly recommend reading it.
At the end of the day Harris got away with violating FOIA, hiding records and lying to Weaver….All because of Newcomb’s malpractice.
The criminal got acquitted on a technicality.
Weaver ended the hearing by saying “Y’all may be excused.”
Not with the tone of – Have a nice day….It was the tone of – Get the Hell out of my Courtroom…Now.
Will this transcript and ruling have an impact on Byrd’s case against Harris for wrongful termination ?….Yes it will….A huge impact.
Oh, I forgot to tell you who the Judge is in that case….Susan Weaver.
#FactsNotFiction
NOTE: I emailed Harris for a statement in the matter and did not get response.
Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction
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