Charges Dropped After CPS Student Said She Was Tased During Confrontation With a Staff Member
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Charges against the CPS student who said she was tased at school after a confrontation with a staff member have been dropped. Dnigma Howard, 16, appeared in juvenile court Wednesday morning.
Police said Howard got into a confrontation with a school staff member at Marshall High School. After they tried to intervene, police say Howard tried to bite one of the officers. That's when she says she was tased.
Cell phone video shows police standing over 16-year-old Dnigma Howard Tuesday.
Howard's father said the whole thing was handled improperly.
Chicago police say the officers suffered injuries following the incident and were on medical leave.
Chicago Public School officials said they asked the district's office of inspector general to investigate.
"Today was a good day," attorney Andrew M. Stroth said in press conference.
Stroth said Howard was under an independent education plan, and the school was under protocol for situation management.
"This case is about failed leadership at the Chicago Public Schools system. It's about failed leadership at Marshall High School," he said.
The student's father said he is "very satisfied with the outcome." He said he is appreciative the felony charges were dropped because his daughter has future plans to go to college.
Howard said she is relieved and ready to get back to school.
"I'm very happy. I'm thankful," she said.
