Cincinnati Leaders Demand Prosecution of Mob Attack Victims

Local leaders in Cincinnati are calling for white victims of a brutal downtown mob attack to face charges.

However, the city’s police union says the move is politically motivated and undermines the integrity of the investigation.

The July 26 assault at the corner of Fourth and Elm Streets left six people injured and sparked national outrage after video of the beating went viral.

All seven individuals arrested in the attack are African American.

Despite prosecutors identifying the white individuals targeted in the incident as victims, Democrat Ohio state Rep. Cecil Thomas and other city officials are demanding additional arrests.

“The video speaks for itself,” Thomas said at a public meeting Monday, according to WLWT.

“The method by which this situation has been handled raises serious questions as to whether there is bias involved in this investigation.

“It also brings into question the lack of integrity and whether there is something else to hide.”

Cincinnati’s Fraternal Order of Police pushed back in a strongly worded statement.

“Cincinnati Police investigators have worked tirelessly to gather all of the facts, meet with prosecutors, and sign appropriate charges to ensure those involved will be brought to justice,” said Ken Kober, president of Queen City Lodge #69.

“Efforts have been made by politicians to influence the outcome of the investigation for their own gain.

“It’s wildly inappropriate,” he warned.

“There’s no place for political games in law enforcement.”

Additional footage obtained by WLWT shows one of the white victims striking an assailant during the attack, after which multiple attackers joined in the beating.

The altercation has fueled racial tensions in the city, with some local officials alleging the initial actions of the white victims “caused” the violence.

Democrat Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney said:

“The actions of the white people involved appear to be the proximate cause of the violence, and they should be charged.

“We should push for justice and not turn against each other.”

A Hamilton County grand jury indicted six suspects on multiple felony charges, including felonious assault, assault, and aggravated rioting.

Each faces up to 29 years in prison if convicted.

Those arrested were identified as:

Patrick Rosemond, 38
Jermaine Matthews, 39
Montianez Merriweather, 34
DeKyra Vernon, 24
Dominique Kittle, 37
Aisha Devaughn, 25

A seventh suspect, Gregory Wright, 32, was arrested Monday on charges of aggravated riot and aggravated robbery.

Wright’s attorney, Carl Lewis, called the case “a powder keg,” warning of community unrest.

The high-profile nature of the case prompted Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Tyrone Yates to request additional security during Wright’s arraignment.

“Can we send a couple of deputies to the outside to make sure that while I conduct this hearing, everyone understands that everyone is to be cool, to keep their cool,” Yates said.

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office has not commented on the renewed calls to prosecute the white victims.