27 Cases Started By Officer Accused In Beating Video Dropped

A North Carolina prosecutor has dropped 27 cases initiated by a white police officer shown on video beating a black man accused of jaywalking.

Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams tells the Citizen Times in a Monday statement that former Asheville police Officer Christopher Hickman could not be considered a credible witness.

The 31-year-old was arrested Thursday on felony assault and other charges in the August incident. The Associated Press was unable to reach him by phone Friday.

Williams says the dropped cases involved 17 defendants and included felonies and DWIs. They did not include violent felonies or sex offenses. More cases could be dropped as prosecutors analyze convictions obtained using Hickman's testimony.

County courthouse records staff say a list of the dropped cases was not immediately available.