Ex-Baltimore Cop Indicted on Assault Charges After Viral Video

Arthur Williams resigned after Saturday's confrontation
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 14, 2018 5:37 PM CDT
Ex-Baltimore Cop Indicted on Assault Charges After Viral Video
In a Wednesday, July 27, 2016, file photo, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, right, holds a news conference near the site where Freddie Gray was arrested.   (AP Photo/Steve Ruark, File)

A former Baltimore police officer was indicted on assault charges Tuesday after being recorded repeatedly punching a man in a street confrontation three days earlier in a video that went viral. Arthur Williams, who resigned a day after Saturday's confrontation, was charged with first- and second-degree assault, as well as misconduct in office, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said at a news conference. Mosby declined to offer many details about the indictment, citing the ongoing case. But she said prosecutors considered a "great deal" of evidence beyond the video, the AP reports. "I can tell you that we don't just consider what you all have viewed, the viral video," Mosby said. "We consider a great deal more evidence, which is what we were able to present before the grand jury."

Williams is accused of assaulting Dashawn McGrier, 26. Both Williams and McGrier are black. Mosby said a warrant has been issued for Williams' arrest. She said the first-degree assault charge alleges Williams "intended to cause serious physical injury in the commission of the assault." McGrier suffered a fractured jaw and fractured ribs, according to his attorney, Warren Brown. A second officer who was present Saturday has been assigned to administrative duties. Mosby said a preliminary assessment of evidence indicates "that in light of his responsibilities at the scene there are no criminal charges that are appropriate" for the second officer, who has not been identified by police.

(More police brutality stories.)

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