North Carolina Judge John Marsh Tyson has been accused of trying to hit an activist with his car during an anti-police brutality protest in Fayetteville. Tyson faces a misdemeanor charge of assault with a deadly weapon and is scheduled to appear in court next month.
NBC News reporter Antonio Planas reported on the criminal summons signed by the judges assigned to the case. Magistrate C.L. McMillan wrote, “I, the undersigned, find that there is probable cause to believe that on or about the date of the offense, the defendant drove at a high rate of speed attempting to hit Myahtaeyarra Warren with a deadly weapon, a white SUV.”
According to Planas, “McMillan found enough evidence to support the charge and addressed the finding directly with Tyson, according to court records.” Warren, who goes by Myah, was not hit or injured in the incident.
In her criminal complaint to McMillan, Warren wrote, “I was at the market house protesting at 6:31 pm. A white SUV with a #4 plate attempted to hit me. I was standing inside the paint, which is not a traffic lane.”
As a community activist and small business owner, Warren is familiar with many public figures and lawyers in the region, which is why she recognized Tyson as the driver in the vehicle that attempted to hit her.
Warren said what Tyson did or attempted to do “was not OK,” adding that she would like to see him “be a man and own up [to his actions].”
Tyson, as well as the Fayetteville police, have so far declined to comment on the case.
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