‘We’re going to fight’: Woman at center of controversial CMPD arrest speaks for first time
On Friday morning, CMPD was questioned about the role marijuana played in the arrest.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The woman who was seen getting hit multiple times by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer is speaking for the first time since the controversial arrest.
Christina Pierre watched the body camera video of her arrest on South Tryon Street near Arrowood Road before she recorded a video message obtained by WBTV.
“I have never been through anything like this, but for anybody that is going through any type of mistreatment from those that are supposed to serve and protect us, we’re going to fight to make sure all this gets justice and it’s right for all of us,” Pierre said.
Controversial CMPD arrest
More was learned about the viral video showing CMPD officers involved in Pierre’s violent arrest.
On Friday morning, CMPD was questioned about the role marijuana played in the arrest.
Police have said the incident started after a report that the woman and a man were smoking marijuana. CMPD officials were asked Friday why that triggered such a strong response from officers.
“Marijuana is illegal in the state of North Carolina. Some folks like that, some folks don’t and we understand that,” CMPD Lt. Kevin Pietrus said. “That’s something that’s not set by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. It’s not set by the city of Charlotte. It is illegal in the state of North Carolina. Chief Jennings addressed on Wednesday a potential review of how we handle that, and so I’ll let his comments stand.”
Pierre’s attorney Lauren Newton says her client was not smoking marijuana, but was actually smoking a cigarillo of THCA, which is a legal derivative of hemp.
She says her criminal attorney is seeking that all of her three criminal charges be dismissed, including simple possession.
Newton also said watching the body camera footage led her to believe police used excessive force.
“She was already subdued, there was an officer holding her butt, there was an officer with his knee on her butt, there was an officer holding her legs, there was an officer holding her head and neck area,” Newton said. “Her arms were almost already in the handcuffs when 10 of those blows were delivered.”
Newton says the footage did not show the moment an officer punched Pierre in the face, which police say happened after she punched an officer twice in the face.
She says that’s because of the way the camera was positioned at that time.
“It kinda looks like it’s up at the sky,” she said.
State representative Kelly Alexander, who is fighting to legalize marijuana, said he believes it could prevent what he calls unnecessary interactions with police.
“There’s no way with your nose that you can distinguish burning hemp from burning cannabis,” he said. “I don’t think we should be spending law enforcement energy on busting someone for smoking a joint on a park bench somewhere.”
There will be a hearing on Nov. 30 where a judge will decide whether to release the body-worn footage to the public.
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