Charges dismissed against Chartiers man
Charges against a Chartiers Township man filed in May by a Washington police officer who later resigned were dismissed Friday.
District Judge David Mark granted a request by a Washington County prosecutor to dismiss the charges against Benjamin Burgess, 34, when no one from city police appeared for the scheduled proceeding.
Officer Joseph Moore filed charges including driving under the influence and traffic citations. Moore initiated a May 27 traffic stop and took Burgess to Washington County jail.
There, Moore handcuffed jail Capt. Wendy Harris because she refused to admit Burgess without a hospital clearance because of concerns about a visible head injury he had. Burgess was held in the jail following a check by an EMT.
Moore resigned his position in July following an internal review by the city and the publication of reports about his alleged actions that night in the Observer-Reporter. Harris filed a civil-rights lawsuit against Moore and his former department later that month.
Assistant District Attorney Cassidy Gerstner said Friday her office will “review the matter with the department and and consider refiling the charges” in Burgess’ case.
Burgess, who wasn’t represented by an attorney Friday, declined comment following the proceeding.