All charges have been dismissed against Tyron McAlpin, a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy who was shocked with a Taser and punched by Phoenix police officers. McAlpin was initially charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and theft, but Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell reviewed the case and decided to dismiss the charges. New body cam footage raised questions about the incident where McAlpin was beaten and tased by police officers. The arrest stemmed from an incident at a Circle K convenience store, where McAlpin was accused of assaulting a man who tried to stop a theft. McAlpin’s attorney stated that the officers launched a “frenzied and violent attack” on him. The attorney requested additional videos from the police to support McAlpin’s case and plans to file a lawsuit if they are not provided. Earlier this year, the Justice Department found that the Phoenix Police Department discriminates against Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals, uses excessive force, and unlawfully detains homeless people. The DOJ released its findings following a three-year investigation. Mitchell’s decision to dismiss the charges against McAlpin comes amid ongoing concerns about police misconduct and discrimination in Phoenix.
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