A woman who had been assaulted by a California Highway Patrol officer has received $1.5 million in settlement.
A passer-by saw the incident last July and recorded it in his cellphone. The video showed Officer Daniel Andrew straddling a 51-year-old woman named Marlene Pinnock, and beating her repeatedly in the head with his fist.
According to USA Today, the incident happened after Pinnock crossed an access ramp to the freeway and walked along the 10 Freeway shoulder.
The officer then walked up to Pinnock and attacked her from behind, throw her to the ground and proceeded to punching her in the face and upper body for more or less 15 seconds.
CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said in a statement, "When this incident occurred, I promised that I would look into it and vowed a swift resolution. Today, we have worked constructively to reach a settlement agreement that is satisfactory to all parties involved."
The bulk of the settlement, according to Farrow, will go to Pinnock's long-term care. The statement also addressed Andrew, who was put in an administrative leave and will resign as part of the agreement.
According to Fox News, in the warrant that the network obtained, Andrew has pulled Pinnock from oncoming traffic, and she resisted by pushing him. Multiple drivers called 911 when they saw her walking barefoot alongside the freeway. Andrew then straddled her on the ground as she resisted, the records reading that he "struck her in the upper torso and head several times with a closed right fist."
Pinnock did not suffer any signs of physical injury and has refused medical treatment. However, as a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is off her medication, she was placed on psychiatric hold for a couple of weeks.
Fox said that in an interview with AP, Pinnock really thought the officer was trying to kill her, saying, "He grabbed me, he threw me down, he started beating me. I felt like he was trying to kill me, beat me to death."
Despite the fact that Pinnock has already settled with the agency, civil rights activists are pushing to make a case against the involved officer.
Project Islamic Hope Director Najee Ali said, "Our call has always been for L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey to prosecute Andrew for beating Pinnock. The settlement with her changes nothing. If anything it makes a prosecution more urgent now than ever."
Pinnock's attorney Caree Harper also said that she will be pushing to file criminal charges against Andrew, saying, "We want him in prison. I'm not done."
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