Mecklenburg district attorney drops all charges for couple seen in viral Charlotte arrest
The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s office has dismissed charges against a man and woman who were arrested in a viral incident this month outside of a Steele Creek-area Bojangles.
All charges, including assault and marijuana possession, against Christina Pierre and Anthony Lee were dropped Tuesday, the couple’s attorney Lauren Newton and district attorney spokesperson Mike Stolp confirmed to The Charlotte Observer.
Pierre and Lee were smoking marijuana at a bus stop when police first came upon them, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
A bystander’s video that showed part of Pierre’s arrest went viral. It showed police officer Vincent Pistone repeatedly hitting her. Those were “compliance strikes,” CMPD said in a statement after the video began circulating online.
And a still-unnamed officer “returned a strike” to her face, according to the department.
“After consideration of the body-worn camera evidence and the various recorded accounts of police and civilian witnesses present, based on the totality of the circumstances, the State does not have a reasonable likelihood of success at any potential trial on this matter,” according to Pierre’s dismissal paperwork, signed by prosecutor Sheena Gatehouse.
District Attorney Spencer Merriweather declined to comment further on the dismissals.
“Our firm requested that the charges be dropped both publicly and to the DA’s office,” Newton said. “Given what’s come to light with witness statements, it’s not surprising. And it’s what we had hoped for and expected. We’re pleased to see the justice system working in the manner that it should be.”
A civil suit related to the arrests is on the horizon, she added.
Police had charged Pierre with assault on a government official, resisting arrest and simple possession of marijuana. They charged Lee with carrying a concealed firearm, resisting arrest and simple possession of marijuana.
The video of Pierre’s arrest sparked concerns around use of force, implicit bias and officers’ reactions to marijuana.
CMPD has filed a petition for body camera footage to be released to the public. In North Carolina, that requires a court order.
CMPD chief Johnny Jennings reacts
Police Chief Johnny Jennings was “disappointed” that Pierre’s and Lee’s charges were dropped — especially the firearm and assault charges, the chief said in a statement.
“However, I have a great deal of respect for our District Attorney and know he has a difficult decision to make when it comes to the prosecution of these cases,” Jennings said. “Our CMPD officers work hard each day to keep our community safe. Whether or not these cases are prosecuted in the criminal justice system is beyond our control. Even if charges are dropped or prosecution isn’t likely, that does not change how we enforce the very laws we swore to uphold.”
Charlotte police announce community meetings
Hours after the dismissals, CMPD also announced that community members will review CMPD policies, including officers’ response to resistance. The release made no reference to the incident with Pierre and Lee.
“I feel that there is a need to form a Community and Police Collaboration Group who will mutually make recommendations for potential policy changes,” Jennings said in a separate news release. “Members of this group have been identified and are being contacted to gauge interest.”
Meetings are planned to begin in December, and policy recommendations are planned for June 2024, according to the news release.
