CINCINNATI — A new hearing for one of the three suspects involved in a violent beating incident downtown has brought additional charges against him. Jermaine Matthews, 39, from East Price Hill, appeared in court this week facing accusations of orchestrating an attack that left multiple victims injured.
Prosecutors allege that Matthews had a significant role in planning the assault, which witnesses described as a brutal ambush. He surrendered to law enforcement late Tuesday and was charged with aggravated riot and assault, prompting a bond set at $100,000 during his initial court appearance on Wednesday. On Thursday, he returned to face three more charges, which include two counts of felonious assault and one count of misdemeanor assault.
Video evidence reportedly shows Matthews engaging in the attack, where he violently punched and stomped on one of the victims, causing serious bodily harm. Additional allegations suggest that he dragged an unconscious individual into traffic and assaulted another victim.
The two other individuals arrested in connection with the incident are identified as Montianez Merriweather, 34, and DeKyra Vernon, 24. Merriweather faces a bond of $500,000, while Vernon’s bond is set at $200,000. Both face charges for felonious assault, assault, and aggravated rioting.
During their arraignment on Wednesday, defense attorneys for Merriweather and Matthews claimed their clients were provoked and struck first by the same person they are accused of attacking, which they argued justifies their actions. This defense strategy adds complexity to the ongoing investigation.
The violent altercation reportedly gained attention after a video of the incident circulated online, prompting an outcry from the community. Authorities have stressed their commitment to bringing all involved parties to justice, with the FBI also examining the event for potential civil rights violations.
The case’s details will soon be presented to a grand jury, with a meeting scheduled for August 8. In the meantime, investigators encourage anyone with information regarding the incident to contact local law enforcement or Crime Stoppers.
Efforts to piece together the full scope of the attack are ongoing, as police gather witness statements and further evidence. The community’s willingness to provide information has been praised by law enforcement, who emphasized the importance of cooperation in resolving such incidents.