Two police officers in Kansas City, Missouri, face assault charges for allegedly slamming a transgender woman's face into a concrete s...
Two police officers in Kansas City, Missouri, face assault charges for allegedly slamming a transgender woman's face into a concrete sidewalk during an arrest that was captured on video.
A grand jury indicted Matthew Brummett, 37, and Charles Prichard, 47, on one misdemeanor charge each of fourth-degree assault related to the May 24, 2019, physical encounter, the Jackson County prosecutor's office announced.
The video, recorded by a passerby outside a beauty supply store, shows the officers kneeing the woman in the face, torso and ribs and forcing her arms over her head while handcuffed. The woman was black; the officers are white.
Officer Matthew Brummett, 37, and Officer Charles Prichard, 47, face charges for allegedly using excessive force arresting a transgender woman in May 2019
The entire arrest was caught on video and shows officers allegedly slamming her face into the concrete sidewalk, before a rough arrest in which she was kneed in the face, torso and ribs
The woman has since died after being shot in October at a Kansas City home, and a man has been charged in her death. She went by various first names, including Brianna or Brionna, Bebe, and Briya. Her surname was Hill.
Prosecutors said police arrested Hill after she got into a dispute with someone at the beauty supply store.
Both she and the store's owner called 911, and the owner asked officers to remove Hill.
The officers said Hill was resisting arrest when they forced her to the ground outside the store.
The two officers face charges of fourth-degree assault for recklessly causing physical pain to Breona Hill when arresting her outside a Kansas City beauty supply store
A witness took photos of Hill’s injuries after she was taken to the hospital, showing cuts and bruises on her face
During the arrest, while Hill is on her stomach, video allegedly shows Brummett and Prichard kneel on top of her torso, ribs and back.
Brummett is alleged to have slammed Hill's face into the concrete twice before placing his body weight onto her neck and shoulder while the officers handcuffed her.
Court documents say Prichard can be heard on the video saying, 'We tried to be easy,' and 'You made it this way.'
Hill can be heard moaning and crying in pain until she eventually goes silent.
Hill was ticketed for trespassing, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brummett and Prichard maintain that they used reasonable force, according to a statement from their attorneys.
'They vehemently dispute the basis of these charges and believe they will be ultimately exonerated in Court,' the statement said.
Hill ended up being shot to death in October 2019 at a home in east Kansas City
A man has been charged in connection to Breona Hill's, pictured, murder
Police Chief Rick Smith announced late Friday that both officers have been placed on 'administrative assignment until the outcome of the proceeding.'
'I was informed today that two officers from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department were indicted by a Jackson County grand jury. As Chief of Police, it's my job to hold officers accountable when the facts call for it, and I believe my record as Chief shows how seriously I take that obligation,' Smith said in a statement.
'All of us want justice. I ask everyone to keep an open mind and let the fact-finding process go forward.'
The officers will appear before a Jackson County judge in August.
A Kansas City Police Department investigation determined the officers did nothing wrong, according to the police union. The Jackson County prosecutor's office said it brought the case to a grand jury because police declined to provide prosecutors with a probable cause statement, which is normally submitted by a detective at the conclusion of an investigation.
An attorney who represents Hill´s family, David Smith, said that he believes the police chief mishandled the investigation and he called for him to resign. David Smith and Rick Smith are not related.
'You don't treat this woman like a piece of trash because you think she is a freak,' David Smith said.
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