Chikesia Clemons, the woman who was assaulted by police at a Waffle House in Saraland, Alabama, has been found guilty of charges related to the incident.
Clemons was found guilty of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to WKRG.
Guilty????????♀️
— Chikesia Clemons (@ChikesiaClemons) July 24, 2018
Judge C. Mark Erwin ruled Clemons will have to pay $200 per charge plus court fees. She was also sentenced to 10 days in jail, but it will be suspended for one year of informal probation. Erwin insists the controversy surrounding the case did not influence his decision.
“I can’t speak to how anyone should deal with the emotions of this incident. I just want the public to be clear that the elements have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt by the evidence that’s been presented. The elements have been met," he said, according to the Mobile Chapter of the NAACP. "Stripping away who we are and what has been said about who we are, does this rise to the definition of the law? I would say by the defense’s own evidence it proves this case. Finding the facts doesn’t solve the emotions. Solving emotions is up to each individual.”
Chikesia Clemons walking into Saraland Municipal court for hearing on charges from Waffle House arrest pic.twitter.com/yAUT1OylMB
— Muriel Bailey (@MurielWPMI) July 23, 2018
Clemons' lawyer, Marcus Foxx, said he would appeal the ruling during a brief press conference.
“We expect to take this case to the next level and try this before a jury of our peers,” Foxx said.
Activist Tamika Mallory was also present to support Clemons.
“They threw Chikesia Clemons to the ground after de-robing her. It was wrong, and there is nothing that you can say that will make us believe anything different. The judge and all those folks who are in that courtroom tonight that lied are wrong, period,” Mallory said.
Clemons’ case attracted national attention in April when a video of her arrest went viral. The incident started when Clemons asked for a corporate number after arguing with a waitress about cutlery. In the video, the police exposed her breasts, threw her to the ground and handcuffed her. Waffle House later released a statement defending the officers’ actions. Police officers accused the 25-year-old of being drunk and threatening to “shoot this place up.”
Clemon’s ordeal sparked national outrage, protests and calls to boycott Waffle House.
Now, check these out:
6 Things Everyone Should Know About Chikesia Clemons' Arrest At A Waffle House In Alabama