(RightWing.org) – During the height of the racial justice protests and riots in late June, a St. Louis couple decided they needed to protect themselves and their home because they felt threatened during a Black Lives Matter protest at the mayor’s home nearby. According to a prosecuting attorney, their actions are not legal.
Mark and Patricia McCloskey have been charged with firearm and evidence tampering charges, according to their attorney. He said the indictments were suppressed and won’t be unsealed for at least a week.
As predicted, the prosecutors used vague language in the state law to charge the McCloskeys. However, as a criminal defense attorney, I view these charges as legally dubious and highly challengeable given countervailing rights under Missouri law. https://t.co/4jV5HjBSUM
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) October 7, 2020
The McCloskeys said that a mob of 100 people smashed a gate and entered private property that displayed no trespassing signs. Protestors said they wanted to protest at the mayor’s home. They hurled insults and threatening obscenities. The McCloskey’s had a handgun and an assault rifle to protect themselves and their property.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) defended the couple and said if they are charged, he will pardon them. Additionally, Parson said the couple has “every right to protect themselves.”
It’s a strange time in America when people who break the law are set free, and law-abiding citizens are charged with crimes for protecting themselves. The case will now turn to the courts. Will it be thrown out or will the governor be forced to pardon the McCloskey’s?
Stay tuned. There will be more to this story in the days and weeks ahead.
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