Three plead to lesser charges and one case is dismissed in only Akron felony protest cases
Three people pleaded guilty to lesser charges and charges were dismissed against a fourth person in the only felony cases that resulted from last summer’s protests of Jayland Walker’s shooting.
A fifth man arrested during an incident in which a motorcyclist claimed he was assaulted by protesters still has a case pending in Summit County Common Pleas Court.
Walker was shot and killed by eight Akron police officers June 27 after he fled by car and then by foot. He was unarmed, but police said he had fired a gun out of his car during the pursuit and that a weapon was found in his vehicle.
Walker’s shooting has been investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and will be presented to a special grand jury in Summit County Common Pleas Court beginning April 10.
More: 'Solemn duty:' Ahead of Jayland Walker case, what we know about the grand jury process
Numerous protests followed the release of officers’ body-worn camera videos of Walker’s shooting, resulting in dozens of arrests and officers using pepper spray or teargas a few times to disperse the crowds. Several fires were set in downtown Akron.
Most of the protesters faced misdemeanor charges like rioting and failure to disperse.
Motorcycle incident draws felony charges
The only felony charges were filed in an incident that happened on the night of July 26 in which a motorcyclist claimed he was stopped on High Street by Walker protesters. The 35-year-old man said he was assaulted by at least two men and needed hospital treatment.
More: Motorcyclist reports assault during Jayland Walker protests Tuesday in Akron
Police said a caravan of protesters stopped motorists and prevented them from driving through on High Street about 8:30 p.m. Police said two or more men came up behind the motorcyclist, who was in front of a High Street parking deck, and assaulted him, causing significant facial injuries. The motorcyclist was knocked to the ground and his motorcycle was damaged, police said.
The motorcyclist took himself to Summa Akron City Hospital, police said.
Several videos at the site of the incident were posted on social media. In one video, people said the motorcyclist had endangered protesters, including children. The rider can be seen being yelled at as he tried to get back on his motorcycle.
Three men and two women were arrested for the incident and charged with aggravated riot, a fourth-degree felony, and disorderly conduct, a minor misdemeanor.
Two people plead guilty to lesser charge
A 25-year-old Akron man and 30-year-old Akron woman pleaded guilty Friday in Summit County Common Pleas Court to a reduced charge of assault, a first-degree misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct.
Judge Alison McCarty will sentence the woman April 19 and the man May 17 and determine how much they owe the victim in restitution for the damage to his motorcycle.
Adam VanHo, who represented the woman, said he thought this was a fair resolution, especially because prosecutors found that his client was there but wasn’t involved in the assault.
“This was the right resolution,” VanHo said. “It fits what she actually did and I think she’s learned a lesson.”
Prosecutor dismisses case against Canton woman
Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Emily Hall requested Friday that the case be thrown out against a 24-year-old Canton woman “due to insufficient evidence,” according to court records.
The case was dismissed without prejudice, which means it could potentially be refiled.
A 35-year-old Akron man who was scheduled to go on trial Monday instead pleaded guilty to a lesser assault charge and disorderly conduct. He will be sentenced May 17.
Job Esau Perry, who represented the man, said he was pleased he and the prosecutor were able to work out his client’s case without a trial. He said the motorcyclist shared some of the blame for what happened.
“He should have turned around like everybody else did,” Perry said. “He decided he wanted to be bold and keep on going.”
One man’s case is still pending
A 30-year-old Akron man, who is the fifth person arrested for this incident, will have a pretrial before McCarty April 19.
The maximum penalty facing the people who pleaded guilty is 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, court costs and restitution.
VanHo said he hopes these cases serve as a warning for people who decide to protest after the grand jury decision in the Walker case that their actions can have consequences. Many people are concerned that the next protests could be worse that the ones last summer.
“Hopefully, they will see this and realize this stupid stuff isn’t a good idea,” VanHo said.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron felony protest cases draw three pleas and one dismissal
