Latest news with #brutalbeatdown
Fox News
03-08-2025
- Fox News
Cincinnati beatdown victim reveals 'very bad brain trauma' in first remarks since viral assault
One of the victims in the viral Cincinnati brutal beatdown is speaking out to reveal the extent of her injuries, one week after bystander footage captured the moment she was thrown to the ground while reportedly trying to break up the fight. The woman, identified as Holly, can be seen with visible injuries to her face as she speaks to the camera to provide an update on her condition. "It's been very, very hard, and I'm still recovering," Holly said in a video posted online. "I still have very bad brain trauma." "I just want to say thank you so much to everyone for all of the love and support. It is very humbling that you have sent your prayers, your blessings. It's definitely what's keeping me going, and you have just brought back faith and humanity." Holly declined Fox News Digital's request for comment. Holly is one of six victims injured in the July 26 brawl, where she was knocked unconscious on the corner of Elm and Fourth Streets. So far, authorities have arrested four of the six alleged assailants, as a fugitive unit is 'actively pursuing' the two additional suspects. Jermaine Matthews, 39, Dominique Kittle, 37, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the fight. As of Sunday, Kittle, Merriweather and Vernon remain in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, with Matthews posting bond last week. Matthews is charged with two counts of felonious assault, one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of aggravated riot. Both Merriweather and Vernon are charged with felonious assault, aggravated riot and assault charges. Kittle is charged with one count of assault. New footage obtained by Fox News Digital shows the moments leading up to the fight, with one of the victims allegedly yelling a racial slur at the group before the violence broke out. "I did see other fights going on, it was just one of those deals where you got people out drinking and I'm pretty sure drinking had a lot to do with that fight," Jay Black told Fox News Digital. "But it's very unfortunate for the young lady. I pray for her and her family, she was just trying to help out." Black insisted that, "contrary to what people think," there were "a lot of people" who attempted to intervene. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge revealed that out of the approximately 100 people who witnessed the incident or were involved in the brawl, only one individual called law enforcement. "Trust me when I say this, had the Cincinnati Police Department been notified in real time, our officers would have responded with urgency and force to protect life," Theetge said at the news conference on Friday. However, Holly's tearful statement ended with a heartfelt note to those who were sending their well wishes after seeing the shocking footage. "God bless you all, thank you," Holly said. "I appreciate everything that you're doing for me and my family. It's been very, very hard and I'm still recovering."
Fox News
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Video of racial slur yelled during the brutal Cincinnati beatdown emerges
New footage showing the racial slur that was shouted during the brutal beatdown in Cincinnati, Ohio, last weekend has emerged. In the video, someone can be heard yelling the N-word as the violence begins to unfold, though it is unclear who exactly said it and to whom it was directed. Attorney Brandon Fox, who represents defendant Jermaine Matthews, told Fox News' CB Cotton that "it was not a Black, racist mob attacking people. These were separate fights that were triggered by racial slurs that ultimately poured gasoline on the fire." Fox also said that his client was not involved in smaller fights, but rather was trying to break them up. Matthews only got involved when he was slapped by a "taller White man," according to Fox. Matthews is facing charges of aggravated riot and assault, and his bond was set at $100,000 on Wednesday, according to FOX 19. However, he returned to court on Thursday where he faced two new counts of felonious assault and one for misdemeanor assault. According to FOX 19, the judge then set new bonds that pushed the total to $270,000. Attempts to de-escalate the fight, such as one man yelling at an assailant that the victim was 62 years old, did not seem to bring down tensions. One woman, identified as Holly, was knocked unconscious in the incident that took place between Elm and Fourth Streets. The city has been roundly criticized this week over its handling of the brawl, which set the internet ablaze. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval responded publicly late Monday, after the beating had been circulated for about 36 hours. He had been on vacation in Canada and announced plans to cut it short and return to the city on Thursday. "Let me be clear, there is no place for violent crime in Cincinnati, whether it's fight or gun violence, we will pursue those responsible and we will hold them accountable no matter who they are, period," Pureval said at a news conference on Friday. Additionally, a city councilwoman, Victoria Parks, is also facing public scrutiny after she said on Facebook that the victims of the attack "begged for that beat down!" Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge later revealed that out of the approximately 100 people who witnessed the incident or were involved in the fight, only one called law enforcement. "Trust me when I say this, had the Cincinnati Police Department been notified in real time, our officers would have responded with urgency and force to protect life," Theetge said at the news conference on Friday. So far, four arrests have been made in connection to the brawl. In addition to Matthews and Merriweather, Dekyra Vernon and Dominique Kittle have also been arrested and are facing charges. Merriweather is facing one count of felonious assault, one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of aggravated rioting. His bond has been set at $500k total. Vernon is also facing charges of felonious assault, misdemeanor assault and aggravated rioting, but her bond was set at $200k. While Matthews' attorney claims his client did not know Merriweather, detectives said in court earlier this week that the two coordinated with each other. Meanwhile, Kittle, who is charged with aggravated rioting and misdemeanor assault, had his first court appearance on Saturday. His bond was set at $150k. Additionally, his attorney said on the record that Kittle suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
