CHP Beating Case Update: Former Officer Still Not Charged

LOS ANGELES, July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the one-year anniversary of the videotaped beating of Marlene Pinnock. Ms. Pinnock is still currently living on her own in Los Angeles and working with her attorney and community activists to lobby Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey to press charges against Former CHP Officer Daniel Andrew before the statute of limitations runs out. Ms. Pinnock's attorney, Caree Harper, a champion of civil rights and the underserved, continues to be involved in several high profile police misconduct cases including the beating of Clinton Alford by the LAPD, the takedown of a pregnant woman by Barstow police and the recent tragic shooting of Walter DeLeon also by the LAPD on June 19, 2015.

On July 1, 2014, Marlene Pinnock, 51, became a household name when video emerged of a Black woman being repeatedly punched and socked by a white police officer on the side of a freeway. Her videotaped beating would add to the recent rallying cry by African-Americans nationwide protesting police brutality and the killing of unarmed Black people.

Andrew "struck her in the upper torso and head several times with a closed right fist," the records say.  CHP Commissioner Farrow and Asst. Commissioner O'Quinn argued that Andrew's actions (blows to Pinnock's face and body) were to "protect her" from the slow moving rush hour traffic.

"They wanted to assassinate my client's character because she had an illness that is suffered by millions of Americans including journalist Jane Pauley," said attorney Caree Harper.

It didn't work. A federal lawsuit was filed against the CHP in July, 2014, and on September 24, 2014, the case settled. Attorney Caree Harper set precedent by obtaining terms in the actual Settlement Agreement that dictated the termination of the officer's employment with the California Highway Patrol. Harper also secured a $1.5 million dollar settlement for Ms. Pinnock, most of which was placed in a trust which was not completed until January, 2015. Marlene Pinnock's attorney provided her with shelter, food, transportation, private medical assistants and basic essentials until the trust was completed.

Since then Attorney Caree Harper along with civil rights leaders have been lobbying Lacey to charge Officer Andrew with attempted murder or at the very least felony assault under color of authority.

Jasmyne A. Cannick is based in Los Angeles & can be reached at jasmyneonline.com or Twitter @Jasmyne.

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SOURCE Jasmyne A. Cannick