Introduction
A police incident in St. Louis, Missouri, involving a 52-year-old woman named Yolanda Green, has sparked controversy and debate over the actions of the police officers involved and the subsequent charges brought against Green. The incident, captured on both cellphone and police body camera footage, has raised questions about the accuracy of police reports and the appropriateness of the charges filed.
The Incident
The incident occurred on March 19, 2023, when Yolanda Green was seen in a cellphone video putting her hands on the back and shoulder of an officer while checking on her son during a police encounter. The scene took place after the homeowner alerted the authorities, though the initial call for trespassing did not involve the Greens.
Green’s interaction with the police escalated when an officer reacted to her touch, with another officer calling for restraint rather than handcuffing. Despite the attempt to de-escalate the situation, the encounter led to a physical altercation.
Body Camera Footage and Allegations
Body camera footage from the scene shows conflicting perspectives on the incident. According to Green’s attorney, Mark Put Rollie, one officer was seen trying to prevent another officer from punching Green in the face. The officer who allegedly threw the punch reportedly broke his hand during the incident, a claim supported by the police report.
However, the police report also states that Yolanda Green struck an officer several times in the back of his neck, head, and shoulders with what appeared to be a closed fist. This account is disputed by Green’s attorney, who claims that the police report was engineered to justify the use of force against both Green and her son.
Legal Response and Charges
Following the incident, the St. Louis County Police Department responded by stating that a single video does not capture the entirety of an active police scene. They emphasized that the charges against Green were based on the culmination of police reports, body camera footage, witness interviews, and other evidence, including medical records of the officers’ injuries.
Yolanda Green has been charged by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with two counts of fourth-degree assault on a special victim (a law enforcement officer) and resisting/interfering with arrest.
The prosecutor’s office acknowledged the defense’s contention that some claims in the police report and probable cause statement did not match subsequent video evidence. However, they maintained that the evidence supports the three class A misdemeanors for physically interfering with the lawful arrest.
Impact on Yolanda Green
Yolanda Green, who has worked as a nurse for over 25 years, has stated that the criminal charges have cost her nursing career. She expressed her devastation, saying, “This is my life. This is all I know. This is not a career I like; I’ve been doing this for 25, 26 years. It’s all I know how to do.”
As the legal proceedings continue, the controversy surrounding the incident remains a point of contention between Green’s supporters and law enforcement.
Conclusion
The incident involving Yolanda Green and the St. Louis police has highlighted the complexities of interpreting police encounters, especially when video evidence is involved. With Green’s nursing career and legal fate hanging in the balance, the case serves as a reminder of the broader implications of police actions and the importance of thoroughly examining all evidence in such cases.
A court date has yet to be set for Green’s criminal charges, and further developments are expected as the case proceeds.
