Grand jury declines to indict McKinney

WASHINGTON, June 16 (UPI) -- A federal grand jury in Washington has declined to indict U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga., in the alleged assault of a Capitol police officer, CNN reports.

The decision came despite presentation of evidence by the U.S. attorney.

The incident occurred when McKinney, who wasn't wearing her congressional ID button, tried to bypass a metal detector in a congressional office building, as members of Congress are allowed to do.

The officer did not recognize her, and when he attempted to stop her after asking her to halt three times, police said, she allegedly hit him.

McKinney originally claimed that the incident was a case of racial profiling, but after other Democrats talked to her, she apologized on the House floor.

McKinney may have other problems, CNN. A well-known Democratic lawyer and local official, Hank Johnson, is challenging her in Georgia's July 18 primary.