Prominent civil rights activist Ben Crump addresses crowd after Shelby officer’s assault charges

SHELBY, N.C. — Prominent civil rights activist and attorney Ben Crump spoke Tuesday at the City of God Family Worship Center in Shelby, hours after a police officer seen in a video punching a woman faced a judge on charges that he assaulted her.

The news conference was packed. The church parking lot overflowed, and vehicles were parked on the front lawn.

People inside were shouting for new charges and justice as Crump demanded the charges the officer faces to be upgraded.

The doorbell video showed the now-former Shelby Police Officer Karson Hyder punch Cherrie Moore multiple times in the face on Friday.

“This should be a question for all of you, too. ‘What would the narrative have been if there was no doorbell video? What would the police report have presented if there was no doorbell video?’” Crump said.

Moore’s attorneys told the crowd that Moore was calm during that beating.

“The officer should be held accountable for each punch,” Crump said. “It was unjustified, unnecessary, unconstitutional, and just outright inhumane.”

He said medical records confirm Moore had a broken nose and black eyes.

Crump said he will tell the district attorney that the amount of violence is enough to make the assault charge a felony against the woman, who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Moore briefly spoke to say that she appreciates the support.

“Don’t blame the victim because of her mental health crisis,” Crump said.

Crump said Moore now has PTSD, and that her family said she cannot trust the police.

Moore was charged with breaking and entering from Friday’s incident. She was also charged with resisting a public officer and assault on a government official but those were dropped.

“Enough is enough,” said her uncle, Michael Moore. “This has to end, and the only way that it’s going to end is we stand up and fight.”

Crump and his local representative from Charlotte questioned police training and whether the other officers in the video had a duty to intervene more aggressively than they did.

Crump hinted at a lawsuit.

Hyder was fired from the police department and charged with misdemeanor assault with serious injury and is out on bond.

Hyder made his first appearance in court on Tuesday morning.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.