Crime

Asheville Group Wants More Access To Police Records In Wake Of Beating

by Associated Press

In this Aug. 25, 2017 image made from video and released by the Asheville, (N.C.) Police Department, Johnnie Jermaine Rush grimaces after officer Christopher Hickman overpowers Rush in a chokehold, in Asheville, N.C. Earlier this year, a shorter clip obtained by a newspaper sparked anger in the community and helped lead to a felony charge of assault by strangulation against former officer Christopher Hickman. (Asheville Police Department via AP)

 

Asheville activists say better online public access to police records could help ease community mistrust of law enforcement heightened. The request comes after the beating of a black pedestrian by a white police officer in Asheville.

Local media report that members of Code for Asheville told city leaders on Tuesday that the accountability is needed because neither the public nor city council knew about the incident for nearly six months.

City officials have given the U.S. Attorney's Office records related to former Asheville Police Officer Chris Hickman's beating of Johnnie Rush last August. The earliest subpoena was on March 5, five days after the Asheville Citizen-Times published leaked police body camera footage that showed Hickman choke and strike Rush while holding him on the ground after shocking him with a Taser.

Hickman was later charged with felony assault by strangulation.

300x250 Ad

300x250 Ad

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Donate