Three of the five people charged in connection with a viral brawl in downtown Cincinnati last weekend appeared in court Wednesday. Cincinnati police said Tuesday that Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, were arrested on charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot.On Wednesday, a third suspect, Jermaine Matthews, 39, also appeared in court. He’s been charged with aggravated riot and assault. All appeared in court Wednesday. A detective with the Cincinnati Police Department alleged Merriweather whispered to a “co-defendant” and then started “arguing with the victim” before a fight began.The detective described Merriweather as the “catalyst” for what detectives described as a “coordinated attack.” The detective alleged Merriweather came up behind the victim, hitting them in the side of the face, “kind of like an ambush.”Police also shared in court that they have more video from a camera mounted on a building in the area that allegedly shows Merriweather and Matthews chasing the victim before hitting them.The prosecutor’s office presented a photo in court that depicted Merriweather’s alleged involvement. WLWT cameras were not able to see the photo in full during the hearing. Court documents show Merriweather bonded out of jail earlier this month after he was arrested for receiving stolen property. He was charged with having a gun illegally as a felon. Records show he was also convicted of aggravated robbery in 2009.Prosecutors asked for a high bond. Merriweather was given a total $500,000 secured bond on charges. Matthews’ defense attorney Brandon Fox said what has been presented in court and on social media is “not all of the evidence” and the evidence they have obtained paints a “very different depiction of what occurred.” Fox alleges Matthews was downtown for his business. Fox then alleges Matthews’ involvement began when one of the alleged victims asked Matthews for some of his marijuana, which he shared. He alleges that’s when a fight broke out down the sidewalk and Matthews attempted to break it up.Fox alleges after that, one of those involved in the fight started kicking Matthews’ business vehicle and slapped Matthews in the face. Detectives during the hearing did agree one of the victims is seen on video hitting Matthews in the face.”He absolutely does, 100 percent, and we are looking into that,” the detective said. The detective also says Matthews is seen in another video before that “squared up” with another person.Detectives allege Matthews is seen on surveillance kicking a victim to the ground and was seen on camera hitting another person.Matthews was given a total $100,000 secured bond on charges. Prosecutors also showed a photo that allegedly depicts Vernon’s involvement in the incident, in which she hit allegedly one of the female victims. WLWT cameras were unable to see the photo in full during court. Detectives allege video shows Vernon was a bystander watching the brawl, walks up and hits a woman “trying to protect someone from the ground.” Detectives said the victim is Russian and went back to Russia on Sunday. Detectives allege Vernon then went back to the sidewalk and then went back to another woman and punches her. They said that’s when another “co-defendant” is seen on video knocking that victim out. Prosecutors said Vernon has an outstanding warrant for a traffic incident. She was given a $200,000 secured bond on charges. The incident unfolded on West Fourth and Elm streets downtown early Saturday. Police said it began as a verbal altercation that quickly turned physical. Videos showing parts of the brawl started circulating online Saturday morning. One video of the fight has been shared hundreds of thousands of times, across multiple platforms. Pillich made a strong statement after watching video from the fight that has been seen by millions across multiple platforms.”In order to dissuade people from committing these types of offenses, I’m going to throw the book at them,” Pillich said.
CINCINNATI —
Three of the five people charged in connection with a viral brawl in downtown Cincinnati last weekend appeared in court Wednesday.
Cincinnati police said Tuesday that Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, were arrested on charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot.
On Wednesday, a third suspect, Jermaine Matthews, 39, also appeared in court. He’s been charged with aggravated riot and assault.
All appeared in court Wednesday.
A detective with the Cincinnati Police Department alleged Merriweather whispered to a “co-defendant” and then started “arguing with the victim” before a fight began.
The detective described Merriweather as the “catalyst” for what detectives described as a “coordinated attack.” The detective alleged Merriweather came up behind the victim, hitting them in the side of the face, “kind of like an ambush.”
Police also shared in court that they have more video from a camera mounted on a building in the area that allegedly shows Merriweather and Matthews chasing the victim before hitting them.
The prosecutor’s office presented a photo in court that depicted Merriweather’s alleged involvement. WLWT cameras were not able to see the photo in full during the hearing.
Court documents show Merriweather bonded out of jail earlier this month after he was arrested for receiving stolen property. He was charged with having a gun illegally as a felon. Records show he was also convicted of aggravated robbery in 2009.
Prosecutors asked for a high bond. Merriweather was given a total $500,000 secured bond on charges.
Matthews’ defense attorney Brandon Fox said what has been presented in court and on social media is “not all of the evidence” and the evidence they have obtained paints a “very different depiction of what occurred.”
Fox alleges Matthews was downtown for his business. Fox then alleges Matthews’ involvement began when one of the alleged victims asked Matthews for some of his marijuana, which he shared. He alleges that’s when a fight broke out down the sidewalk and Matthews attempted to break it up.
Fox alleges after that, one of those involved in the fight started kicking Matthews’ business vehicle and slapped Matthews in the face.
Detectives during the hearing did agree one of the victims is seen on video hitting Matthews in the face.
“He absolutely does, 100 percent, and we are looking into that,” the detective said. The detective also says Matthews is seen in another video before that “squared up” with another person.
Detectives allege Matthews is seen on surveillance kicking a victim to the ground and was seen on camera hitting another person.
Matthews was given a total $100,000 secured bond on charges.
Prosecutors also showed a photo that allegedly depicts Vernon’s involvement in the incident, in which she hit allegedly one of the female victims. WLWT cameras were unable to see the photo in full during court.
Detectives allege video shows Vernon was a bystander watching the brawl, walks up and hits a woman “trying to protect someone from the ground.” Detectives said the victim is Russian and went back to Russia on Sunday.
Detectives allege Vernon then went back to the sidewalk and then went back to another woman and punches her. They said that’s when another “co-defendant” is seen on video knocking that victim out.
Prosecutors said Vernon has an outstanding warrant for a traffic incident. She was given a $200,000 secured bond on charges.
The incident unfolded on West Fourth and Elm streets downtown early Saturday. Police said it began as a verbal altercation that quickly turned physical.
Videos showing parts of the brawl started circulating online Saturday morning. One video of the fight has been shared hundreds of thousands of times, across multiple platforms.
Pillich made a strong statement after watching video from the fight that has been seen by millions across multiple platforms.
“In order to dissuade people from committing these types of offenses, I’m going to throw the book at them,” Pillich said.