UPDATED JULY 20, 2022 AT 2:02 PM EST
A second Columbus police officer will face no legal actions for alleged misconduct during the George Floyd protests in 2020.
Traci Shaw was originally scheduled to go to trial Monday. After two days of discussions, she was due in court Wednesday morning.
Special Prosecutor Brad Nicodemus filed the dismissal Tuesday. He says that a woman who was pepper-sprayed by Shaw on her way home that day, was having doubts about the legal system after another officer, Holly Kanode, was found not guilty last week for misconduct during the protests.
The woman met with Shaw Tuesday about the incident.
“Understanding from both sides was the key take away from this resolution. That face to face helps us provide accountability.”
Shaw agreed to additional training as a result.
A statement from the City of Columbus Special Prosecutor's office reads in part, "The complainant said based on the outcome of Sgt. Kanode’s trial and her doubts about the justice system providing accountability, she felt more could be accomplished by sitting down with Officer Shaw and having her agree to additional training. Officer Shaw listened, explained her perspective and agreed to the training. We supported her decision and the Court granted a dismissal of the charges."
Officer Holly Kanode was recently found not guilty on two misdemeanor charges of dereliction of duty and falsification for her role in the protests.
Shaw was facing 12 misdemeanor counts, including three counts each of assault, interfering with civil rights and dereliction of duty. Cell phone video recorded by one of the alleged victims showed Shaw stepping out of a cruiser and spraying four women. The women claimed they were walking to a friend's house and did not provoke Shaw.
Phillip Walls is the third and final Columbus police officer who was charged with misconduct in 2020. Walls faces six misdemeanor charges for interfering with civil rights, assault, and dereliction of duty. His case is still open.
His trial is set for the week of August 15.
