The Cincinnati Police Union expressed strong disapproval regarding a criminal case that emerged last month from a widely publicized violent incident.
This week, Cincinnati police confirmed the arrest of an individual related to an assault in downtown Cincinnati.
While authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s name, they indicated that the individuals attacked are afforded protections under Mercy’s law.
However, the victim’s attorney revealed that the man’s name is Alex Chichelbinski.
Douglas Brannon, the lawyer representing Chichelbinski, stated that his client suffered 28 blows to the head during the altercation.
“This is an attempt to criminalize the victim, effectively making Alex a victim a second time,” Brannon conveyed.
Images obtained by Fox News showcase the injuries Chichelbinski endured.
Brannon noted that his client was acting in self-defense and is committed to contesting the charges against him.
“The reality is that Alex was hit multiple times while trying to defend himself against a group of assailants,” Brannon explained.
The brawl occurred on July 26 at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Elm Street.
Video recorded by bystanders depicts a white male colliding with a black male wearing a red shirt before chaos ensued, resulting in six injuries and quickly going viral.
Chichelbinski now faces disorderly conduct charges and has a court appearance scheduled for August 26. He is the eighth individual arrested related to this violent event.
In light of recent events, community leaders have commented on the arrest of Chichelbinski. The first seven suspects arrested were black, raising questions about motivations for the charges.
“We’re clear: anyone who engages in violence must be held accountable,” stated Mayor Aftab Pureval. “This is a significant stride towards accountability, and I appreciate the efforts of the CPD and prosecutors as we move forward.”
However, Cincinnati Police President Ken Cober criticized the arrest, alleging that the administration placed undue pressure on law enforcement to charge victims.
“The blatant political interference between Woerner and Pureval’s administration is unprecedented in my experience,” Cober remarked.
Ohio State Assemblyman Cecil Thomas emphasized the severity of the charges, expressing concern during a City Hall discussion about the investigation’s handling.
“Charging someone with disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, is a grave insult to the black community,” Thomas stated. “The appropriate charges should involve assault and aggravated rioting, not this trivialization of what happened.”
David Whitehead, president of the local NAACP chapter, also expressed skepticism regarding the fairness of the claims. “We question the integrity of these charges based on what we know so far,” he commented.
Recent legal proceedings saw 32-year-old Gregory Wright arrested for aggravated assault and robbery. Wright, with a prior criminal record tied to heroin trafficking, allegedly stole jewelry during the attack.
On Thursday, a judge reduced Wright’s bail from $100,000 to $50,000, although he’ll need to post 10% to secure release.
Wright’s attorneys did not provide immediate comments.
