The city of Montgomery’s mayor and police chief have released a joint statement clarifying developments concerning charges filed against the co-captain of the Harriott II riverboat.
Wednesday, it was reported that Damien Pickett was charged with third-degree assault stemming from his involvement in the viral riverfront brawl.
WSFA 12 News has verified that Pickett was neither arrested nor booked into any jail. Instead, on October 26, he was served with a summons to appear in court on November 21.
“The City of Montgomery and Montgomery Police Department have been made aware that one of the individuals involved in the incident at Montgomery Riverfront Park on August 5, 2023, has filed charges against Harriott II co-captain Damien Pickett. Neither the City nor the Montgomery Police Department filed these charges. The Montgomery Police Department’s investigation only lists Mr. Pickett as a victim,” said Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert.
One of the initial defendants in the case, Zachery “Chase” Shipman, filed said charges against Pickett, claiming that he was not trying to fight Pickett but was only defending himself.
Shipman, who was previously charged with assaulting Pickett, is set for trial later this month. He has entered a plea of not guilty. Allen Todd and Reggie Ray also face trial in the coming weeks. Mary Todd and Richard Roberts pleaded guilty.