+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

A woman who ran over a demonstrator during a George Floyd protest in Denver last summer is found not guilty of assault by jury

Jul 11, 2021, 12:53 IST
Insider
People protest as a storm rolls in on June 6, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
  • Video of a car hitting a demonstrator during protests over the death of George Floyd protests last May went viral.
  • A jury found that the woman driving the car was not guilty of assault.
  • A lawyer for Jennifer Watson said she was scared for her safety.
Advertisement

A woman accused of hitting a person with her car during protests following the death of George Floyd last summer in Denver has been found not guilty of assault by a jury, several outlets reported.

A jury found Jennifer Watson, 37, guilty of misdemeanor reckless driving, KUSA reported.

Video of the incident went viral last summer. The video from May 28 showed a black SUV honking its horn at a group of demonstrators around it.

Before the start of the video, a protester was on the hood of the car, Insider reported. The car then started moving, the protester jumped off, and people can be heard screaming watch out.

The car then swerved, hit the protester, and drove off.

Advertisement

Watson's attorney, Ryan Brackley, said Watson was scared for her safety, KUSA reported.

"Ms. Watson should not have been charged. We appreciate the jury's verdict of not guilty to the assault charge," Watson's attorneys at Brackley Law Office PLLC said in a statement.

Brackley said Watson was taking her usual route home when she was surrounded by protesters. He said she was alone with her dog when the man that was ran over identified as Max Bailey, 22, jumped on the hood of her car and her windshield was smashed, as KUSA reported

Bailey told the outlet that he jumped on the hood of the car because he feared being run over. He suffered some swelling and bruising following the incident.

Protests erupted across the country last summer after Floyd's death on May 25, 2020. Floyd died after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over nine minutes during an arrest. Floyd repeatedly said he was unable to breathe, video of the encounter showed.

Advertisement

In April, Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter for Floyd's death.

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article