Contrary to reports from a defense attorney, charges have not been dropped against six USC students arrested in a confrontation with police outside an off-campus party in an incident posted on YouTube, the LA City Attorney's Office said Thursday.
An attorney for the students, Fred Dorton, had said earlier Thursday that charges were dropped. He spoke during a a rally with some 30 students and others outside the downtown LA courthouse where the six students were facing arraignment for charges related to failing to disperse.
Christian Sutton, one of the students arrested in the case, said he was fearful.
“I had never seen police act that way,” he said. “I had never been in that position myself."
Just before 5 p.m., the office of Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich issued a statement that read in part:
"Fred Dorton who represents the six USC students spoke to news agencies this afternoon and conveyed the impression that the case against his clients had been dropped. This is not true.
"No decision has been made on filing the case. The City Attorney’s Office is gathering evidence and the case remains under review."
The students were arrested May 4 when 79 LAPD officers -- some in riot gear -- responded to a noise complaint for a party in the University Park Campus neighborhood hosted by black students.
Supporters said police used excessive force and “selective enforcement” because officers did not arrest anyone at a party hosted by white students that was held across the street the same night although they did break up that party.
"I saw my brothers and sisters and the Trojan family treated like criminals,” said Sarah Tither-Kaplan, a music industry major who said she attended the predominantly Caucasian party across the street. “... they were herded like animals. They were degraded, humiliated, and insulted and called names..."
Police said some in the crowd threw objects at officers and one officer suffered an injury while making an arrest.
Dorton called for criminal charges to be filed against officers he claims used excessive force, including one officer who he said tackled a student who was arrested on felony charges that were later dropped.