WASHINGTON — The investigation into last week鈥檚 bloody arrest of a black University of Virginia student could take a while, says one of Governor Terry McAuliffe鈥檚 cabinet members.
McAuliffe called upon Brian Moran, Virginia鈥檚 Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, to have Virginia State Police investigate the March 18 arrest of 20-year-old university student聽Martese Johnson.
鈥淚t鈥檚 capable of lasting weeks,鈥� he says.
The student suffered a gash to his head — which required stitches — while being arrested by Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control — or ABC — agents.
鈥淭he thoroughness of this investigation is key,” says Moran, “and at the conclusion, I think people will see that it鈥檚 important to get the facts right before we jump to conclusions.”
Also, Moran says, if the investigation reveals there’s a need for corrective actions, the state will take them. The question is whether ABC agents should have the power to make arrests.
鈥淚 suspect the morning hours of March 18 will renew those discussions and the governor looks forward to having those discussions with the legislature,鈥� Moran says.
State lawmakers have studied the issue of ABC having a duel role: enforcement of state alcohol laws and聽the sale聽and distribution of alcohol.
When asked if the arrest of Johnson by ABC agents was racially motivated,聽Moran said he didn鈥檛 know. That’s why they’re pursuing the investigation, he added.
Moran also brought up the arrest of another聽U-Va. student by ABC agents. In that case, agents swarmed the car of Elizabeth Daly after mistaking a carton of sparkling water for beer. Daly was 20 years old at the time of the incident.
