Charges dropped in clash with Richmond Police that led to profiling claims

Charges have been dismissed against seven people who were arrested during an altercation in May that led to accusations of racial profiling. Madison County Attorney Marc Robbins said each defendant agreed to perform 10 hours of community service. He called the agreement "a very reasonable resolution of a very difficult situation." City Manager David Evans and Willard Reardon, spokesman for the Richmond police department, were hopeful that lingering tension between police and African-American residents would ease. "I just hope that everybody can put this behind us now and move forward in a progressive way to make Richmond better for everybody," Evans said. As part of the deal, the defendants agreed that police had probable cause to arrest them. Sheree Campbell, mother of one of the defendants, will supervise the community service. Although the agreement ends the criminal proceedings, the case could still result in civil litigation. The defendants also did not agree to drop complaints of excessive force and racial profiling filed with local civil rights organizations. The episode began the morning of May 30, when police sought to question Larry E. Sims Jr. Sims turned as if to run, and as he was tackled by an officer, a handgun fell out of his clothing. Sims' girlfriend, Natasha L. Miller, went to see what was happening and, according to witnesses, an officer body-slammed her onto or near a railroad tie. The department has said that officers were afraid that Miller was trying to get the handgun. Some bystanders, angry about the treatment of Miller, were pepper-sprayed by police. Since then, the department has changed its policy on use of force. [more]