Florida man’s Tesla video leads to his acquittal

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. (NBC, KYMA) - A Central Florida man said a judge found him not guilty after video recorded by his Tesla was shown in court.

The officer who held him at gunpoint more than two years ago no longer works for winter springs police.

Kevin Finley felt vindicated now that the Winter Springs police officer who falsely accused him of fleeing has left the force.

Officer Erik Schwartz detained him at gunpoint outside his garage in August 2024, and then placed him in handcuffs for 33 minutes.

Finley was driving home after dropping his children off at daycare.

He said he wasn't try to flee because he didn't see the lights nor hear the sirens when Officer Schwartz initiated a traffic stop near his house for driving through an intersection at a high rate of speed.

Finley was never charged with felony fleeing and eluding.

When Finley's case went to trial in July, he proved he never saw the officer coming after him with video recorded by a camera on the back of his Tesla.

Right before jury deliberations, the judge acquitted Finley of his charges.

While the officer wrote in the police report that Finley lost traction and fish-tailed, his Tesla video showed that wasn't the case.

Finley said he was surprised when the chief called to inform him of the officer's resignation and he apologized.

Finley said he intends to file a civil lawsuit against Winter Springs Police, and the chief declined a request for an on-camera interview.