PALMDALE, Calif. РInvestigators said that a white Knight High School security guard involved in racially charged m̻l̩e involving a cake did not use excessive force on a student.
In earlier reports, 16-year-old Pleajhai Mervin, a black student, said that the security guard, Chris Niemeyer slammed her against a lunchroom table and twisted her arms behind her back, causing her to break her wrist Sept. 18. Mervin claimed that prior to the incident, Niemeyer asked her to pick up a birthday cake that she had dropped on the ground. When she stated that she had picked it up, she said he assaulted her. She reported that Niemeyer called her a “nappy-head” during the episode.
Another student, Joshua Lockett, 14, taped the incident with his video camera. According to Mervin, when the security guard realized he was being videotaped, he attacked Lockett. Lockett’s, sister, Kenngela, 16, then approached the guard in attempts to assist her brother. Kenngela Lockett also claimed that her wrist was injured.
Mervin’s mother, Latrisha Majors, arrived at the scene and allegedly assaulted the high school’s principal.
All four were arrested, and all three students have been expelled.
While Mervin maintains her story, officials believe otherwise. Capt. Carl Deeley, commander of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office in Lancaster stated, “We have determined there was no criminal behavior by the security guard. In fact, we believe he showed great patience and used the minimal amount of force necessary in that case.”
Deeley said that when Mervin dropped the cake, Niemeyer repeatedly asked her to pick it up. Mervin responded by pushing the guard, jabbing her finger in his face, and using obscenities.
Joshua Lockett’s video camera was not allowed on campus, stated Deeley. The teen was trying to incite the crowd and refused to hand over the camera. This led to his sister smacking Niemeyer in the back of the head.
All three students had disciplinary problems at the school.
Mervin’s doctor also concluded that the girl’s wrist was not injured. Officials state that at the time, neither girl complained of any injuries. “I have to tell you, I was joking with all three teens. They seemed to be very happy and jovial,” said Greg Chapman of the sheriff’s department. “They seemed to be very relaxed. Again, there were no complaints of pain.”
Majors maintains that her daughter’s wrist was broken.
Civil Rights activists plan to protest Nov. 19 outside of the courthouse when Majors is scheduled to appear in court. So far, no charges against Mervin and Kenngela Lockett have been filed.
Joshua Lockett will appear in Lancaster Juvenile Court in November. He faces charges connected with the Knight High School and an unrelated petty theft and burglary case.
