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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In a surprising move, Oklahoma’s attorney general, Gentner Drummond, announced the dismissal of felony assault charges against a police officer involved in a controversial incident where a 71-year-old man sustained serious injuries after being thrown to the ground during a confrontation over a traffic citation.
Drummond intervened in the ongoing legal proceedings and dismissed the aggravated assault and battery charges against Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Joseph Gibson, age 28.
The charges had been brought forth by Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna earlier this month after the release of body camera footage depicted the altercation. In the video, Gibson forcefully threw Lich Vu to the ground following an argument triggered by a non-injury traffic incident that occurred on October 27.
Drummond stated, “As attorney general, I will not permit Oklahoma police officers to face criminal prosecution for conduct adhering to their training.” He expressed his belief that, despite the tragic outcome for Mr. Vu and his family, the officer did not act with criminal intent.
In the aftermath of the incident, it was reported that Vu suffered significant physical injuries, including a brain bleed and fractures to his neck and eye socket.
Behenna expressed her dismay in a statement, conveying her surprise at the attorney general’s decision to withdraw the case from her office, declaring it a disappointment for the residents of Oklahoma County. She emphasized that her team had previously concluded that the actions taken by Gibson constituted an unreasonable use of force.
Drummond added that Vu’s physical contact with Gibson during the dispute was inappropriate, stating, “No individual is allowed to hit or push an officer, regardless of whether he or she doesn’t understand English well or comes from a different culture. The simple truth is, this unfortunate incident never would have occurred if Mr. Vu had kept his hands to himself.”
The case has ignited considerable backlash, particularly among Oklahoma City’s Vietnamese community. Many have voiced concerns over the treatment Vu received during the encounter, especially as body camera footage suggested he struggled to comprehend Gibson’s instructions.
In support of the dismissal, Gibson’s attorney, former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, commended Drummond’s decision as a rational and just response to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Mark Nelson, president of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police, expressed empathy for Vu’s situation, hoping for his speedy recovery while reiterating the challenges officers face. He noted, “Unfortunately, when someone resists law enforcement, they increase the risk of harm to themselves or others.”
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