SHELBY, N.C. (WBTV) – A prominent civil rights attorney claimed the woman seen in a viral arrest video was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of her interaction with Shelby police.
A doorbell camera recorded the arrest of 34-year-old Cherrie Moore on Friday, May 29. In the video, now-fired Officer Karson Hyder appeared to have taken Moore to the ground before he apparently threw several punches.
A second officer seemingly tried to intervene, and Moore was eventually handcuffed and got back on her feet.
By Saturday morning, Hyder was fired. Then on Monday, June 1, he was charged with assault inflicting serious injury. Court records showed he turned himself in and was released from jail soon after. His bond was set at $10,000.
The situation developed further on June 1, when Attorney Ben Crump’s office announced it had been retained by the Moore family.
In a news release, Crump claimed Moore was experiencing a mental health crisis.
“Cherrie Moore called for help during a mental health crisis, but instead of receiving compassion and care, she was met with violence,” Crump said in the release.
“No person in crisis should ever be subjected to this kind of treatment, especially by those sworn to protect and serve,” his statement continued. “The footage of this encounter is deeply disturbing and raises serious questions that demand answers and accountability. We intend to fight for justice for Cherrie and her family every step of the way.”
Moore could be heard in the video asking the officers to call her father, and said she was not on her medicine.
During a news conference on Tuesday, June 2, Crump said Moore was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
“She was approached by a Shelby Police Department officer while she was having a mental health crisis,” Crump told reporters.
“Don’t blame the victim because of her mental health crisis,” he said a few minutes later. “We have to blame the people who are supposed to be trained professionals to deal with a mental health crisis.”
Crump then mentioned the injuries Moore reportedly sustained — a fractured nose and facial bruising.
“A mental health crisis should not include a broken nose, a busted lip and black eyes,” the attorney said. “People don’t choose to have mental health issues. Mental health challenges are not a choice. But how we respond to them is a choice. And we see how he responded is the wrong choice.”
Crump said he wanted to see Hyder held accountable “for each punch” and said his team was seeking to have the charge against him upgraded.
Hyder appeared in Cleveland County court on the lone assault charge just minutes before Tuesday’s news conference.
During that appearance, Hyder waived his right to a public defender and told the judge he had his own attorney. The judge read the charge against him — which was a misdemeanor — and told Hyder to be back in court on July 29.
Viral video showed Cherrie Moore’s arrest on May 29 in Shelby, N.C.(WBTV)Previous coverage:
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