New video footage has surfaced from the violent incident in Cincinnati, Ohio, capturing a racial slur being shouted as the altercation began. The N-word is audible in the video, although the individual responsible for the comment and its intended target remain unidentified.
Brandon Fox, the attorney for Jermaine Matthews, informed Fox News’ CB Cotton that the event was not a Black, racist mob attacking others. Instead, he described them as separate altercations incited by racial slurs, which intensified the situation.
Fox noted that Matthews was not part of the smaller skirmishes but was attempting to de-escalate them. Matthews only engaged physically after being struck by a “taller White man,” according to Fox’s account.
Matthews is charged with aggravated riot and assault, with an initial bond set at $100,000, as reported by FOX 19. However, during a court appearance on Thursday, additional charges of felonious assault and misdemeanor assault were added, elevating his total bond to $270,000.
New footage of the viral Cincinnati brawl shows individuals yelling racial slurs as the violence unfolds. (Jay Black)
Furthermore, city councilwoman Victoria Parks faced backlash for her comment on Facebook, suggesting the attack victims “begged for that beat down!”.
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge disclosed that despite around 100 witnesses or participants in the melee, only one person contacted law enforcement during the incident.
“Trust me when I say this, had the Cincinnati Police Department been notified in real time, our officers would have responded with urgency and force to protect life,” Theetge said at the news conference on Friday.
A fight broke out on Friday night in downtown Cincinnati, leaving several people injured. (X/@Anthea06274890)
So far, four arrests have been made in connection to the brawl. In addition to Matthews and Merriweather, Dekyra Vernon and Dominique Kittle have also been arrested and are facing charges.
Merriweather is facing one count of felonious assault, one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of aggravated rioting. His bond has been set at $500k total. Vernon is also facing charges of felonious assault, misdemeanor assault and aggravated rioting, but her bond was set at $200k.
While Matthews’ attorney claims his client did not know Merriweather, detectives said in court earlier this week that the two coordinated with each other.
Meanwhile, Kittle, who is charged with aggravated rioting and misdemeanor assault, had his first court appearance on Saturday. His bond was set at $150k. Additionally, his attorney said on the record that Kittle suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
