Malcolm Xavier Springs faces a variety of criminal charges stemming from a 03/20/11 robbery on West Trade Street in Charlotte. According to Police, Mr. Springs exchanged gunfire with a CMPD officer after the robbery, and both men were wounded. Mr. Springs was later taken to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. He eventually recovered enough for transport to the Mecklenburg County jail.

The case is unique in several aspects. First, multiple witness claim CMPD officers used unnecessary force after arresting Mr. Springs. According to initial reports, eight residents along Garibaldi Street claim to be eyewitnesses to the Defendant's arrest. These individuals claim the CMPD officers used unnecessary force after handcuffing Mr. Springs. Per the witnesses, officers hit, kicked, and stomped Mr. Springs, but they did not see him resisting arrest. Wade Miller, one of the witnesses indicated "They were beating him... He was handcuffed. I didn't see the man moving."

The second unique aspect of the case is the Police response to the situation. Tuesday's CMPD statement requested witnesses to come forward with information regarding the incident. According to a CMPD statement, "In an effort to preserve the trust and confidence of the community, the CMPD investigates all accusations of officer misconduct".