The background and analysis of an alleged case of police brutality
One of the greatest fears a person can have is being pulled over by the police. But imagine being a person of color, it’s a deeper fear. Now look closer, imagine being black.
No one wants to be the next Richard Hubbard III, or to make things more drastic, the next Philando Castile. As a Chinese American woman, I’ve had the fortunate privilege of not having to walk around with the fear of being shot, assaulted, or beyond because of my skin tone. But I couldn’t imagine the fear that comes with being a black woman. No woman, no black woman would ever want to be in the position of Charnesia Corley. Corley was allegedly sexually assaulted by police officers during an invasive strip search in August of 2017.
Allegedly, Sherita Dixon-Cole experienced a ordeal similar to that of Corley’s at the hands of a Texan state trooper but the recent release of the dash cam footage from the night of her alleged assault have dis-proven her claims.
Dixon-Cole was arrested May 20th in Waxahacie, Texas by Texan state trooper Daniel Hubbard on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Her claims went viral after activist Shaun King posted about it on various social media platforms such as Facebook.
King and Cole’s family allege that Dixon-Cole was raped by Hubbard after passing a breathalyzer test and assaulted inside and outside of the police vehicle. Dixon-Cole was released at 9.p.m. on May 20th from the Ellis County Jail. She immediately received medical treatment and testing to preserve any evidence of the alleged assault.
Dixon-Cole is represented by civil rights attorney, S. Lee Merritt. Merritt publicly demanded that the Texas Department of Public Safety release the dash cam footage.
Upon investigation, the Texas Department of Public Safety alleged there was no evidence of an assault in the nearly two hour video.
The Grio reported that Lonny Haschel, Staff lieutenant with Texas DPS wrote in a statement that,
“The video shows absolutely no evidence to support the egregious and unsubstantiated accusations against the Trooper during the DWI arrest of the suspect. The Department is appalled that anyone would make such a despicable, slanderous and false accusation against a peace officer who willingly risks his life every day to protect and serve the public.”
On May 23rd the dash cam footage was released. Holes emerged in Dixon-Coles claims, as the dash cam footage showed no evidence of her alleged assault.
It is currently unclear as to why Dixon-Cole made such claims. Merrit recently came out and apologized.
Press Release concerning released body-cam footage by Texas DPS pic.twitter.com/ExpbgmJEH5
— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) May 23, 2018
King deleted his viral Facebook post and came out with a new Facebook post addressing the situation. Dixon- Cole allegedly still claims that she was assaulted and the video was edited. But as of now the video appears to be authentic.
Although, this situation appears to an awful misuse of vigilante justice, we must not remain deterred. We must take into consideration the importance of dash cams and the rightful usage of evidence. We do live in an age where unfortunately marginalized identities continue to deal with various violations of their rights. Cases like Dixon-Cole’s cannot be representative of all of theses stories.
Dixon-Cole does not represent all black people. Dixon-Cole does not represent all victims of police brutality. Dixon-Cole does not represent all women. Dixon-Cole does not represent all people of color. Dixon-Cole most definitely must not represent all survivors of sexual violence.
We cannot assume that when a woman reports an assault she is lying, because of women like Dixon-Cole. We cannot assume that every case of police brutality or racial violence is a lie either.
Although this case has managed to paint a wrongful negative image of a man, this case has truly emphasized the importance of dash cams in proving truth in cases of police brutality.
As of now, prosecutors are looking into pursuing additional charges against Dixon-Cole.
CBS reported that Ellis County District Attorney Patrick Wilson stated that
“This is tragic because society is rightfully demanding that police officers conduct themselves beyond reproach. The world now knows the trooper in this case conducted himself beyond reproach, and yet he still was subject to this horrible abuse across the country. There are very real and very tragic consequences to this type of behavior.”
