A Georgia judge is arguing that her arrest was a “trap” after she was captured on police body camera punching an officer during an altercation at an Atlanta-area nightclub while saying she was just trying to help a woman who was being attacked.
Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson arrested Just after 3 a.m. Thursday, police responded to a fight “between two separate groups” at Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge in Buckhead. Atlanta Journal-Constitution report.
The arresting officer said Peterson “was not involved in the initial altercation” but “was approached by defendant Christina Peterson and struck him with a closed fist.”
“Peterson then forcefully pushed the officer in the chest and continued to ward off officers attempting to remove the woman,” Atlanta police said in a statement. press release.
“Peterson again pushed the officer in the chest and was subsequently taken into custody.”
The 38-year-old Judge was subsequently charged with assault and felony obstruction. Body camera footage released by the Atlanta Police Department (APD) shows Judge punching an officer and yelling “let her go” as he tries to stop the altercation.
Christina Peterson’s arrest
On June 20, 2024 at 3:18 AM, APD officers were on additional authorized business at 3179 Peachtree Rd. NE when they heard a disturbance nearby and responded to investigate. Link to full video and BWC footage related to the arrest. ➡️https://t.co/LrVbw6EY4P pic.twitter.com/w0gx4xZy0T
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) June 22, 2024
Peterson was arrested after throwing his hands at officers, but repeatedly refused to give his name and appeared to make implicit threats.
“The last person that tortured me like this died after 30 days,” she is allegedly heard saying in the video. “I’m praying for you.”
Judge Christina Peterson: “The last person who judged me like this passed away 30 days later. I’m praying for you.” pic.twitter.com/XxrYcPx3fy
—Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) June 22, 2024
As the video progresses, she continues to resist and refuse to identify herself until Peterson is taken to jail.
“Don’t touch me!” Judge Christina Peterson has still not given her name and is uncooperative as she is hauled off to jail. The judges have no idea who she is. pic.twitter.com/LzRWnvDinB
—Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) June 22, 2024
“It was a trap,” Peterson wrote on Instagram shortly after his release. “The cops first claimed they were going to charge me with disorderly conduct for simply trying to help a woman being attacked by men, then they took me to jail and I found out I was now being charged with a felony.”
She also alleged that she suffered “bruising, bruising around the eye, a swollen knee and a felony charge” at the hands of the officers.
“They will stop at nothing to tarnish my reputation. God help us! We need justice,” the judge added.
in At a press conference Friday afternoon, Peterson’s attorney said the charges against his client should be dropped and called on Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to reexamine the case.
“We believe that as the investigation continues and more facts come to light, Judge Christina Peterson will be completely exonerated of these charges,” said attorney Marvin Arrington Jr. “At least two witnesses have testified that Judge Christina Peterson was only trying to help Ms.” [Alexandria] Love had been brutally and viciously attacked by a man outside the Red Martini nightclub.
Alexandria Love spoke out in support of Judge Peterson at a press conference, claiming the judge “did not mean to hit the officer.” The policeman suddenly ran over and grabbed me, not even noticing the large man who was brutally punching me in the face. [Peterson] “I still thought I was being hurt and attacked,” Love explained.
“I think there was a lot of excitement going on and the officers became confused,” Arrington said.
Prior to his arrest, Peterson had been the subject of an investigation into judicial misconduct, with 30 charges filed against him for violating the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct. Atlanta Journal-Constitution report.
