Judge won't charge woman in airport scuffle with officer

<p>A judge has decided not to charge a Stockbridge woman who got into a scuffle with an Atlanta police officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.</p><p>Diana Dietrich-Barnes, 43, was arrested Nov. 2 after an incident at the airport's drop-off and pickup lane.</p><p>But charges of illegal parking, battery and obstruction were dropped after authorities saw a videotape of the arrest that showed Officer Terence Alexander pushing Dietrich-Barnes to the ground.</p><p>Acting as a private citizen, Alexander tried to get three felony charges filed against Dietrich-Barnes. But Clayton County Magistrate Gloria Darty Reed refused to hear evidence in the case Monday.</p><p>"Because of the declination of prosecution by the district attorney and solicitor, this court is not going to proceed with this arrest application," Reed explained.</p><p>Alexander's report says the incident began when he ordered Dietrich-Barnes to move her Ford Explorer, which she did while screaming obscenities at him. The passenger-side mirror hit Alexander's elbow, his report says, and he ordered Dietrich-Barnes out of the sport utility vehicle. He alleges she pushed open the door into his lower torso and then struggled with him as he tried to restrain and handcuff her.</p><p>But Dietrich-Barnes claims the officer used excessive force during the arrest.</p><p>Dietrich-Barnes' lawyer, Steve Lister, said his client may file a lawsuit against the city of Atlanta.</p><p>Meanwhile, the police internal investigation remains open, according to police spokesman Sgt. John Quigley. He said no policy changes have been made regarding officers assigned to the airport.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x2865660)</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/11/155887