Charges dismissed against Portland police officer accused of hitting photographer with baton

Assault charges have been dismissed against an Oregon police officer who admitted to hitting a photographer in the head with his baton during a demonstration in the wake of George Floyd's death in the summer of 2020, court records show.

Officer Corey Budworth was charged with fourth-degree battery after a viral video posted on social media captured him allegedly striking photographer Teri Jacobs with a baton in August 2020 and then striking her a second time while she was on the ground before he walked away.

Multnomah County court records reviewed by CNN show Judge Celia Howes on Friday dismissed the charges against Budworth and the case was closed.

Budworth apologized to Jacobs in a video released by the Oregon Justice Reform Center. It's not clear when the video was made.

"I acknowledge the physical and emotional harm my actions caused, and I'm committed to ensure that I do not cause this kind of harm moving forward," Budworth said in the video. "I have had the opportunity to meet with Miss Jacobs and speak with her through restorative justice. Through this insightful and challenging process, I had the opportunity to apologize to her privately."

"During my reflection of the evening, the force used against Miss Jacobs could have been avoided and I'm sorry, Miss Jacobs, for unnecessarily hitting you in the head with my baton," Budworth continuued. "I understand the harm that was caused was not limited to Miss Jacobs and was felt by others in the community when there was a great distrust of law enforcement."

In a response shared by the center, Jacobs said: "Although it can't change what happened to me that night, he admitted that his actions were wrong and pledged to do better himself, as well as facilitate changes in the PPB (Portland Police Bureau) that would help prevent this type of police brutality from happening in the future."