East Lansing declines to charge after Harper’s arrest
The East Lansing City Attorney’s Office said in a statement Friday that it will not be pursuing charges against a 20-year-old who was arrested in August.
The 20-year-old woman was arrested by four officers, whose body camera footage will be released as part of the end of the case against the woman, according to a statement from East Lansing.
City Pulse is choosing to not identify the woman by her name because she is not facing charges.
The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office previously declined to press charges a month ago, allowing the city to consider lesser or different charges. She was arrested outside Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub and video of the arrest has been added to the public critiques of the police department in the past year.
Friday’s announcement resolves the cases against the woman, according to police.
“After a careful review of this case and the information that has come to light in recent weeks, we have decided not to pursue charges in this case,” said East Lansing City Attorney Carlito Young said, in a statement. “However, I want to make it clear that this decision does not call into question the propriety of the officers’ decisions on the night of Ms. Collins’ arrest. They responded to a difficult and rapidly evolving situation, cooperated fully with all subsequent reviews and have maintained professionalism throughout more than two months of public scrutiny.”
According to the city, they plan to release redacted versions of the body camera footage from four officers involved in her arrest.
“Redactions have been made to protect Ms. Collins’ privacy, bystanders’ privacy and personal information as required by law. The City attempted to contact Ms. Collins to discuss the release of the video, but she could not be reached,” the city said in a statement.
“Ms. Collins and her family, as well as the involved officers, have faced a difficult two months. However, closing the matter will not stop the ELPD’s continued commitment to enforcing the law while at the same time ensuring equal treatment of everyone who lives in, works in or visits East Lansing.”
