Media365
An Arizona State University student has been charged with two misdemeanors months after her video with cops went viral. On July 19, officers were going to arrest a man on Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. Eryn Kelise Bonner, 21, an ASU senior and member of the university’s Stunt Team, resisted the arrest and was slammed to the ground by the officers. Tempe police alleged that Bonner punched an officer multiple times and then cops had to restrain her. A bodycam footage from the arrest showed that the officer tossed Bonner onto a bicycle and restrained her. The officer punched her while another handcuffed her.Bonner had now been slapped with two misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and hindering or interfering with police — while her family was shocked that she was charged after being beaten up by a cop.“There are no words to fully describe the heartbreak of watching our daughter being hurt by someone entrusted to protect and serve our community,” the Bonner family said. “The hardest thing is seeing the pain and sadness in her eyes that we cannot take away,” the statement continued. “Expecting public servants to live up to the highest standards of their profession is not an act of animosity toward those who serve with honor.”Bonner was left with bruises after the encounter.The complete body-camera and surveillance footage released by Tempe police has become central to the dispute. While the short social-media clip sparked concerns about the officer’s use of force, police have argued that the longer footage provides additional context and shows Bonner repeatedly ignoring commands to move away from the arrest. The Tempe Officers Association has also said the footage shows Bonner striking and scratching an officer.Attorney Benjamin Taylor, who represents the Bonner family,said the cop who touched Bonner should be fired.“This was very extreme, very excessive and there was no need for double pushes, jumping on top and multiple strikes,” Taylor said. “The city of Tempe would be very vindictive to try to charge her again after they see what this officer did,” Taylor said.“If you look at the end of the video, there’s some odd touching at the end of the video which is very concerning,” he said. “At the end you see his hand go on her buttocks which is very odd in this situation.”“Rather, it is essential to preserving public trust and upholding the integrity and legitimacy of our institutions. We respectfully ask for your prayers and support as our daughter and our family continue to heal.”
