Charge to be dropped against woman who filmed police
Richmond's top prosecutor plans to withdraw a charge against a woman who was arrested after filming police as they performed crowd control in Shockoe Bottom last year.
Police had charged Joanne Jefferson, 36, with impeding traffic. They say she disobeyed their commands to move away as officers were trying to maintain order as bars let out around 2 a.m. Sept. 14.
Commonwealth's Attorney Michael N. Herring said today he will withdraw the charge because it is a pedestrian safety statute that does not exist to guard against crowd-control situations.
Jefferson, meanwhile, has accused police of excessive force in the incident. She said an officer grabbed her arm, pushed her against a wall and put her on the ground after officers told her to move along.
Herring has determined that the officers did not act with excessive force. "Based on everything that I've seen, I see no evidence that would support a criminal investigation of a police officer," Herring said.
Reader Reactions
Excuse me Jack, but an officer asking some idiot to remove herself from an area is NOT illegal! I think you were thinking unconstitutional, maybe? Since you are all about discussing rights, what about the rights of the people (I really hate repeating myself) who just wanted to get home safely and without incident? What about their rights to safety? While the idiot with the camera is yelling and making a scene, INSTEAD OF JUST GOING HOME LIKE DECENT PEOPLE, she could have prevented the officers from seeing or preventing something potentially dangerous! I’m glad that you believe that since the officers didn’t want to be bothered with her nonsensical behavior, that they may have had something to hide and didn’t want to risk being on video! That’s ridiculous! And please, don’t be so condescending with statements like, “I don’t think anyone on here hates the police”. You interpret things the way you want and I will interpret them the way I want, but it is apparent that in many instances, there are many people who have nothing but negative and demeaning things to post about the boys in blue!
I don’t think that anyone on here hates the police. I do think that most citizens demand that the police protect and don’t infringe on citizens rights under the constitution.
Filming is not illegal in any way and for them to tell here to stop and leave the area was illegal on their part.
They obviously didn’t want a record of what they were doing which in itself raises questions.
I just heard on the news that she is claiming ‘racial discrimination’. Who would have guessed?! Can a black person ever get arrested without it being a race issue? I bet the NAACP has something to do with this. It’s obvious she just wants her five minutes of fame.
Reading the constant posts that slam police officers is exhausting. Some people write about this woman like she was peacefully taping a documentary! She was an obnoxious, loud idiot who got what she deserved! Those officers were there to provide for the safety of the people who just wanted to get through the crowd without incident! She was in the way and causing problems! As I understand it, she was asked to leave the area several times and continued to impede the officers on duty. Crowds can be dangerous, not only to citizens but to the police officers who are working them. Yet, it’s always the same thing with some of you people-the cops are bad! Yes, I know we are all entitled to our opinion, but the hate that some of you have for police officers never ceases to sicken me!
I feel the police were just trying to be thier nasty, controlling selves. I’m sure that girl was not DIRECTLY in their way. She was just not moving as fast as they wanted her too. And I agree with others that say the police didn’t want certain things to be seen or either they knew that they would have to play down their force with someone filming so they were upset.
Jack, Ms. Jefferson was filming RPD as they were breaking-up numerous fights, up & down the street. (The video of it is still on Youtube). As soon as they’d break up one fight, another would erupt across the street—and there would be Ms. Jefferson (and her friends) hollering things & filming.
Who Cares? I am sure she deserved it! Do we let citizens do what they want or do we want police? Make up your mind!
What was being filmed? You can bet it was something the cops did not want other citizens to see. Thus the extreme overaction and illegal arrest.
MotleyFool: at least part of your tag is right. If a person is standing in the street for any length of time they are blocking traffic, interfering with an officer performing his duty and creating a hazard to themselves and others. The police can move them along or arrest them without violating any law.
The police can tell you to jump. If you don’t jump they can then throw you to the ground, handcuff you, restrain you, and then make up a nonsense charge to hold you. The city prosecutor sees nothing wrong with this. Where is if a citizen performs the same action that citizen would be guilty of assault and kidnapping. All over being videotaped on a public street where every citizen knows an expectation of privacy is ridiculous. Makes me wonder what was being filmed.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement