Family, attorneys demand answers and justice after Shelby woman was beat by police

SHELBY, N.C- The former Shelby police officer seen on camera slamming and punching a woman appeared in court for the first time Tuesday morning. After Karson Hyder’s appearance, the community packed into City of God Family Worship Center for a rally to demand justice for Cherrie Moore.

Moore’s family has hired nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump and his team to represent her. At the rally, Moore thanked the community for their support.

“Definitely want to say thank you,” Moore said to the crowd as she stood next to Attorney Crump. “I definitely appreciate it and I’m plan to show it in a more, I guess obvious way in a little bit.”

Hyder has been charged with assault after he’s seen slamming and punching Moore. Her attorneys say she suffers from mental illness.

“Is it appropriate to have a mental health crisis intervention specialist to deescalate the situation versus the response being 10 punches closed fist with a broken nose?,” Attorney Crump asked. “We want criminal culpability, we want civil accountability. We want policy to say that this won’t happen to another black woman. That’s justice.”

After several blows another officer eventually steps in to stop Hyder. Moore’s attorneys say his hesitation reveals a larger issue.

“So while one officer did the punching, another officer permitted it. This is a policy issue. This is a departmental issue,” Attorney Chance Lynch said. “The video that has gone viral, really portrays a virus that has infected our communities all across America for so long.”

The video has prompted protests in Shelby with residents calling for policy changes and accountability. Moore’s family says she still has a long road to recovery.

“We’ve been going through a rough time. Going through a rough time. She’s going to be very scarred the rest of her life,” Greg Moore, Cherrie’s father said.

Moore’s attorneys say they want Hyder’s charges escalated to a felony assault. Moore is also facing a breaking and entering charge that they say should be dropped. Moore’s attorneys will be requesting the body camera footage from the incident this week.