A woman and her teenage son no longer face murder charges after she was accused of ordering him to shoot a man dead at a hot dog stand.
Prosecutors have dropped murder charges against Carlishia Hood and her 14-year-old son after the teen allegedly shot 32-year-old Jeremy Brown dead. The decision was made after video evidence emerged showing the man punching the woman before her son shot him.
Once the charges were dropped, Ms Hood and her attorneys filed a lawsuit against the city and responding police officers.
The video depicts the altercation between Jeremy Brown and Ms Hood, and shows them yelling at each other until the man starts threatening: "If you say one more thing I'm gonna knock you out!"
He then proceeds to punch Ms Hood multiple times in the head and face.
Ms Hood's teenage son, who was waiting in the car, reportedly entered the establishment after being texted by his mother and shot the man, in West Pullman, Chicago, Illinois.
The teen then followed him outside and fired more shots after Ms Hood encouraged him to do so.
All charges against Ms Hood and her son were dropped by Cook County prosecutors due to insufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof.
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's office said the decision was "based upon our continued review and in light of emerging evidence."
"Based upon the facts, evidence, and the law we are unable to meet our burden of proof in the prosecution of these cases," Foxx's office added.
The lawsuit that was then filed by Ms Hood includes allegations of malicious prosecution, false arrest, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, ABC7 reported.
The lawsuit claims that Hood was a victim and that the wrongful charges have harmed her and her family's reputation.
Carlishia Hood was a valid gun license holder at the time of the incident.
Ms Hood's attorney and family expressed relief and stated that justice had been served, CBS News reported.
The decision to initially charge Ms Hood and her son with murder despite evidence of self-defence was criticized as a miscarriage of justice.
Ms Hood and her son were released from custody, as they had no prior criminal record.
Their attorney Brandon Brown, stated: "You don't have to be a lawyer to appreciate and recognize when a woman is violently attacked by a man—an unarmed woman—that she shouldn't be arrested.
"If any one of you were to replace Carlishia Hood with your mother, your sister, your daughter.
"If your mother or sister or daughter were attacked in a restaurant when she's trying to order a cheeseburger, would you expect that she would be arrested? What would you do in that situation?"
Their attorneys have been contacted for further comment.
