'Very Troubling,' Councilman Julian Jones Says Of Police Incident

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Councilman Julian Jones is calling for charges to be dropped against the 76-year-old woman who was thrown down on the ground outside her home by police Friday. Jones, whose district includes Gwynn Oak, where the woman lives, said he has contacted both the county executive and the police chief about the case.

Rena Mellerson, 76, of the 7000 block of North Alter Street, is charged with second-degree assault, obstructing and hindering and resisting/interfering with an arrest Friday, Jan. 10, court records show. She was released on her own recognizance Saturday, Jan. 11.

An officer threw Mellerson to the ground before arresting her outside her home, according to video a neighbor captured.

Related: Police Probe 'Unsettling' Video That 'Raises Concerns': Chief

Police alleged Mellerson had interfered with officers who had tried to arrest her granddaughter, according to WBAL.

Lawyers representing Rena Mellerson woman who was body slammed by officers her lawyers brief media on case. @WMAR2News follows the story pic.twitter.com/Df6TZmM0Zj
— manny locke (@realmannynation) January 15, 2020

"This incident is very troubling and raises many questions," Jones said in a statement Wednesday.

"I have been in contact with County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Police Chief Melisa Hyatt," Jones continued. "We are in agreement that a thorough investigation and appropriate actions will be taken at the conclusion of the investigation. I will continue to monitor this situation and hope that all charges are dropped against Mrs. Mellerson."

After receiving the video from a citizen, Hyatt said that a thorough investigation of the incident was underway, and that police body-worn camera footage would be released once the probe had concluded.

"I also look forward to the release of the police body camera footage," Jones said, "to provide further details of what occurred during this incident."