COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped disorderly conduct, trespassing and resisting arrest charges against South Carolina NAACP Lonnie Randolph the same day his trial was set to begin.
City of Columbia prosecutors said Monday that the owner of the dry cleaners where Randolph was arrested decided not to go forward with the case. Randolph’s lawyer says the letter was sent to the city more than a month ago.
Randolph says he suffered a diabetic episode that left him disoriented and unable to follow the commands of officers who arrested him in July. He lost several teeth as officers slammed him to the ground and he was kept in handcuffs even after being brought to the hospital.
Randolph’s lawyer Joe McCulloch says he is disgusted the city took the case this far.
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