A black University Law student who filed a complaint of police misconduct admitted last week that the incident never occurred.
Johnathan Perkins, who claimed he had been a victim of racial profiling in an alleged March 31 encounter, told University Police that he made up the story to "bring attention to the topic of police misconduct," according to a press release.
Police Chief Michael Gibson, who completed a full investigation of the alleged incident, said he will not press charges because he does not want to deter other students from coming forward with evidence of police misconduct.
"I recognize that police misconduct does occur," Gibson said in a statement. "Pressing charges in this case might inhibit another individual who experiences real police misconduct from coming forward with a complaint."
Now, Perkins, set to graduate later this month, could face honor charges. If charges are filed, Perkins would be able to participate in graduation ceremonies, but the University would withhold his degree pending the outcome of a trial, Law School Dean Paul Mahoney said in a statement yesterday.
"The University and the Law School are committed to maintaining a community of trust and take violations of that trust with utmost seriousness," Mahoney said.
--compiled by Cavalier Daily staff
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