CHARLOTTE, N.C. — All charges have been dropped against Christina Pierre, the woman seen in a video being punched by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers.
When the video was recorded earlier this month, at least four CMPD officers were restraining Pierre on the ground while a fifth officer punched her multiple times. A second video obtained by WCNC Charlotte showed Pierre being searched before she was put inside a patrol car.
The incident happened just after 2 p.m. on Nov. 13 near the intersection of South Tryon Street and West Arrowood Road.
The sight of officers restraining Pierre and another man drew a crowd, who began recording after the initial interaction with officers.
Officers said Pierre and a man were seen smoking marijuana at a bus stop, according to CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings. The police department claims the situation escalated when Pierre allegedly punched an officer in the face. The police department would later admit the officer then punched Pierre in the face.
Videos later posted to social media show the moments after officers have already restrained Pierre on the ground.
CMPD news release says the officers acted in accordance with North Carolina's use of force law, claiming the officer who punched the woman was hitting her in the thigh to gain control and prevent further assault.
At the time, Pierre was charged with assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and simple possession. On Tuesday, Mecklenburg Count court records confirmed all the charges against Pierre had been dropped.
"We are pleased to see the justice system working as it should with these dismissals," Christina Pierre's attorney Lauren Newton said. “Miss Pierre is relieved, she can breathe a sigh of relief now that the criminal charges are not hanging over her head.”
Officials said that after watching CMPD body cam footage of the incident, as well as talking to witnesses, a decision was made to drop all charges.
“They were very clear that this is not a case they could succeed on and they dropped the charges as we expected,” said Newton. “I think the DA made the right call here.”
Chief Jennings issued the following statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to the charges being dropped:
Jennings said the video was "hard to watch" but urged the public from making conclusions too soon.
"I watched the body-worn camera footage and believe that it tells more of the story than what is circulating on social media," Jennings said in a statement released on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter, that same week. "The public deserves to view this footage as well."
That police officer-worn body camera video has not yet been seen publicly. While Pierre, her attorneys, and law enforcement officials have viewed the video, North Carolina law requires a judge to authorize the public release of body camera video.
Jennings said his department has filed court paperwork to encourage the release of the footage. A judge is expected to hear the motion on Thursday.
“We have seen the angles from the citizens but let’s see and hear what’s really going on with CMPD,” Community Activist Will Adams said. Adams has been by the couple’s side since the arrest.
Charges against the man that Pierre was with were also dropped. Those charges include simple possession, resisting arrest and carrying a concealed gun.
Adams wants to see CMPD make some policy changes moving forward. He said that this is also a learning opportunity and wants it to grow into more conversations about interactions between police and the community.
“We’re not always right…but how should we react during this situation, how should we act under that situation, how should you guys act under this situation,” Adams said. “What is your policy and what are your procedures?”
When it comes to what is next, Newton said they are looking at a civil lawsuit in this case.
“This arrest should have never been attempted in the first place,” Newton said. “Then the punch in the face was completely an overstep and excessive force, not to mention the 17 'compliance strikes'.”
In the days after the video was published, CMPD repeatedly supported the actions taken by its officers while also saying its internal affairs division was reviewing the actions of the officers seen in the video.