May 30, 2018
Wildwood Police Department/for PhillyVoice
Emily Weinman, 20, of Philadelphia, was arrested on the East Schellinger Avenue beach in Wildwood.
Wildwood Police have released three redacted body-cam videos Wednesday night of the violent arrest involving a 20-year-old at Wildwood beach who was suspected of underage drinking.
An Internal Affairs investigation is underway in Saturday afternoon's arrest of Emily Weinman, 20, of Philadelphia, on the East Schellinger Avenue beach. The Cape May County Prosecutor's Office, Professional Standards Unit will assist in the investigation.
The videos show the woman and the two officers arguing about unopened cans of alcohol. When Weinman refuses to give her name, the officer threatens to "lock her up."
"Alright, you're about to get dropped," the officer says before the video cuts out because Weinman hits him in the chest, knocking the body camera.
The officer later says on video that the woman "tried kicking at us, so I slammed her on the ground."
Weinman was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer (two counts), Aggravated Assault by Spitting Bodily Fluids at/on a Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Obstruction and Minor in Possession of Alcohol, according to police.
The officers involved were identified as Class II patrolmen Thomas Cannon, John Hillman, and Robert Jordan.
"This matter is still under investigation, however, in an effort to insure transparency with the public we serve, it was imperative that this video be released as soon as feasibly possible," Wildwood police said in a statement. "Upon the conclusion of the investigation in the coming days, and only after final review by the Cape May County Prosecutors Office, the Wildwood Police Department will release the findings and outcome of the investigation."
The three videos show how the incident escalated — although Police Chief Robert Regalbuto said the officer turned his camera on and off during the encounter.
“Get off of me. What are you doing? You’re choking me,” Weinman screams in the third video, as the officer appears to be holding her down. “They’re choking me. I cannot breathe.”
“I’m not choking her,” the officer says.
A video taken by a bystander on Saturday went viral this week. It shows the officer allegedly punching the woman, but the footage was partially obstructed and unclear. These three redacted body-cam videos, however, show the extent of the violence.
WARNING: May contain sensitive material.
