Attorney: Video shows racial slurs that 'triggered' downtown Cincinnati brawl

Yahoo

2 days ago

This story has been updated with new arrest information.
A previously unpublicized video shows that the July 26 incident on Fourth Street in downtown Cincinnati involved separate altercations in different locations, with several people trying to end them.
About a minute into the video, which was provided to The Enquirer on Aug. 1, one of the men who police say was a victim can be heard shouting a racial slur: "Get him − get that little n-----!" The video was initially posted on Facebook on July 27.
Soon after, the 62-year-old man who shouts the racial slur ends up talking to two Black men who appear to try to calm him down.
In addition, at the beginning of the video, the 62-year-old man can be heard shouting the same racial slur three times.
The family of Montianez Merriweather, one of four people who have been arrested in the incident, has said he was spat on and called racial slurs in the lead-up to the brawl.
The new video was provided by attorney Brandon Fox, who is representing another man arrested, 39-year-old Jermaine Matthews.
Both Merriweather and Matthews face charges including felonious assault and aggravated riot. Officials have said they coordinated an attack.
Police have said Merriweather walked up to Matthews, whispered something to him, then approached a man from behind and struck him in the face. Fox, however, said Matthews doesn't even know Merriweather.
Police say Merriweather also went after another man.
Attorney: Separate skirmishes, no 'racist mob'
Fox told The Enquirer that national and local voices have mischaracterized what actually happened.
"It was not a Black, racist mob attacking people," he said. "These were separate fights that were triggered by racial slurs that ultimately poured gasoline on the fire."
Fox said Matthews was standing on a street corner in front of his business vehicle when a fight broke out on the sidewalk. Matthews tried to break up the fight, Fox said, and when he returned, a man was kicking the vehicle.
When Matthews went to confront the man, the man slapped him in the face, Fox said. The man has not been charged for the slap. Police say that before the slap, Matthews can be seen on video squaring up with another individual.
4 arrests, so far
A woman, 24-year-old Dekyra Vernon, also faces charges in connection with the incident. She is charged with felonious assault, assault and aggravated riot. According to court documents, Vernon is accused of striking a woman in the face before video shows another person also striking the woman in the face, causing her to lose consciousness.
On the evening of Aug. 1, police announced that Dominique Kittle, 37, was arrested at approximately 6:20 p.m. the same day. Kittle, the fourth suspect arrested, is also charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot.
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said Monday that police would pursue charges against others involved.
"Anyone who put their hands on another individual during this incident in an attempt to cause harm will face consequences," Theetge said. "I don't care which side of the incident or the fight they were on."
This story was republished to update an image.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Attorney: Video shows racial slurs that 'triggered' Downtown brawl