Two KC police officers’ misdemeanor charges upgraded to felonies after new testimony
Two Kansas City police officers now face felony charges in a case alleging the pair used excessive force during an arrest last year.
Officers Matthew G. Brummett and Charles Prichard are charged with “knowingly causing physical injury” to Breona, or “Briya,” Hill as she was handcuffed, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
A grand jury first indicted the officers in May on misdemeanor charges of fourth degree assault. Two new witnesses came forward following the May indictment.
The grand jury, after receiving additional testimony, indicted the officers with felonies of third degree assault for “knowingly causing physical injury to the victim by slamming her face against the concrete sidewalk, kneeing her in the face, torso and ribs and forcing her arms over her head while cuffed,” according to the prosecutor’s office.
According to an affidavit signed on Friday by foreperson of the grand jury, one witness, the lead defensive tactics instructor at the Regional Police Academy during the summer of 2019, said they looked at media reports and a video of the arrest.
That witness said there were “several issues with force used during the arrest,” according to the prosecutor’s office, conclusions supported by the instructor’s commanders. Those commanders raised other issues with the arrest.
The two officers went through retraining.
A second witness, a former defensive tactics instructor who also reviewed media reports, reached out to KCPD about issues with the force used during the arrest.
The grand jury was also given evidence about Hill’s injuries due to the force used during the arrest.
She was taken to the police department’s east patrol station and was issued citations for trespassing, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Later, an ambulance was called for her. Hill had injuries to her face and complained of pain in multiple parts of her body, according to the affidavit. Photos taken of her at the hospital showed a cut above her eye, multiple abrasions on her face and dried blood.
In a statement released later Friday night, Brad Lemon, president of the Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police, said the union continues to stand by the officers.
Lemon said he doesn’t believe any new evidence has appeared since the case went to the grand jury in May.
“This is another example of political prosecution and abuse of power by the Jackson County Prosecutor who is attempting to resurrect a failing career on the backs of the good men and woman of the KCPD,” Lemon said in the statement.
In a separate incident, Hill was shot and killed near a home in the 4300 block of Hardesty Avenue on Oct. 14, 2019.
This story was originally published July 24, 2020 at 5:25 PM.
