LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell is dismissing the felony riot charges against 18 people, including state Rep. Attica Scott, from protests on the night of Sept. 24.


What You Need To Know

  • Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell drops felony charges against Rep. Attica Scott, others

  • O'Connell cited lack of evidence

  • Other charges still under review

Scott, who represents Louisville, was charged with failure to disperse, unlawful assembly and riot in the first degree, a felony.

"A prosecutor has a duty to be a minister of justice. This means we must always seek the truth and act upon it, rather than simply seek a victory in court. My office must consider how to best use its limited prosecutorial resources for the efficient administration of justice and the highest benefit to public safety," said O'Connell on Tuesday. "Again, following these principles, we will not move forward with these felony charges."

O'Connell cited a lack of evidence for his decision to dismiss the charges, saying the evidence they have reviewed does not support that the 18 people arrested were working with those who caused property damage to some TARC buses and the Free Public Library.

Scott took to Twitter to address the dropped charges.

Following her arrest, Scott was released from Metro Corrections the next morning.

Scott said, "I want people to know those of us who are out seeking justice in no way want to hurt your business, and as people have probably seen we haven't done that at all. There are some people who aren't part of the movement for Justice for Breonna Taylor who decided to take advantage of that movement, but the folks that are here organizing, leading, activists push them out. That's not what we're about."

Former Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder addressed the situation, saying that Louisville Metro Police Department declared an unlawful assembly in the city prior to the curfew due to damage being caused at Jeff Ruby's on Main Street. Schroeder said damage was done to TARC buses and the Louisville Free Public Library, and LMPD arrested those they believed were involved with the damage at the library.

O'Connell said their criminal division is reviewing the other misdemeanor charges that Scott and the 17 others arrested face.