A grand jury has indicted two Dallas police officers, and one Garland police officer, accused of assaulting protesters during a march in response to the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020.
Former Sr. Cpl. Melvin Williams and Sr. Cpl. Ryan Mabry, both SWAT officers with Dallas police, were initially charged in February with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and official oppression.
On Friday, both were indicted by a Dallas County grand jury. Williams had previously been terminated from the department for violating the department’s use of force policy. Mabry is still with the department but on administrative leave.
Court documents have said Mabry and Williams fired foam "sponge" rounds - a less-lethal type of ammunition - at protesters in Downtown Dallas during a protest. One of them hit a man in the left eye which doctors later had to remove.
Meanwhile, Garland's police chief is standing behind his officer. Chief Jeff Bryan says he's both astonished and disappointed to learn officer Joe Privitt was among those indicted. He says Dallas police asked for help the night of May 30th, 2020 and it was a very dangerous situation.
"Garland police officers were met with aggressive displays of violence against police officers and were placed into a rapidly evolving, chaotic and dangerous situation," Bryan said.
Bryan added "Officer Privitt is a highly decorated officer who has honorably served our community as a peace officer for over 32 years with no disciplinary action."
"Given the dangerous circumstances faced by our officers I have seen no evidence against Officer Privitt that rises to the level of the criminal conduct that has been alleged by the grand jury."
Chief Bryan says his officers had to make fast decisions to protect their own lives and the lives of others and does not believe Privitt should have been indicted.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD