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CHP Officer Caught On Video Punching Woman Could Face 'Serious Charges'
A California Highway Patrol officer could face "potentially serious charges" stemming from an incident caught on video where he is seen throwing a barrage of punches at a homeless woman he pinned to the ground.
Officer Daniel Andrew was recorded on July 1 repeatedly punching Marlene Pinnock with several blows to her head in a video made by a passing motorist on an onramp to the 10 freeway. The video was uploaded to YouTube where it caught the attention of the public and sparked outrage. Marlene Pinnock and her family have both called for the officer to be punished, calling it a clear case of police brutality. An investigation conducted and recently concluded by the CHP has been forwarded to the District Attorney's Office, and Andrew could very well be facing criminal charges, according to a press release.
Pinnock has since sued the CHP over the incident. In his own arrest report the officer said he was trying to protect Pinnock from wandering into the freeway, according to the LA Times.
The CHP has revoked Andrew's peace officer duties, and has also put him on administrative time off after moving him to desk duty after the incident. With the case now in the hands of the District Attorney's Office, it is now up to the DA to decide whether or not to press criminal charges. The CHP's own internal investigation remains ongoing.
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