() The viral brawl in Cincinnati continues to produce headlines as several arrests have been made.
Dave Yost, attorney general of Ohio, appeared on Wednesday’s “On Balance” to talk about the incident and express disgust with the whole ordeal.
“Look, if you play that video a little further, that man is on the ground in the fetal position, trying to protect his vital organs of his head while a mob of people kicks and beats him,” Yost said.
“There is no fighting word, no insult, no first punch that justifies that, particularly once that man is on the ground in the fetal position. It’s just inhumane savagery, and it’s criminal.”
Victoria Parks, a member of the Cincinnati City Council, posted a message on social media saying, “They begged for that beat down.” Her comments seemed to imply a racial connotation behind the incident, which Yost rebuked.
Yost saud he didn’t understand why she would say such a thing, based on how city officials have handled incidents like the brawl.
“I see, oddly enough, at least a slight glimmer of hope here, because a few years ago, when we had unrest in our city streets, no one would have been charged,” he added. “And at least today, we’ve got people that have been charged with serious felonies there in Cincinnati.”
Cincinnati police said three people have been arrested so far since the brawl occurred, on suspicion of felonious assault and aggravated riot. Those arrested include Jermaine Matthews, Montianez Merriweather and Dekyra Vernon.
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge has urged those involved in the brawl to turn themselves in as investigators continue to search for and identify people seen in the videos.
