A married couple who pointed guns at racial justice protesters in the US will reportedly appear at the Republican Party convention this month.
What We Know:
- A St. Louis couple who flaunted firearms at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home in June will be seen virtually during next week’s Republican National Convention to manifest their support for President Donald Trump.
- A Trump adviser on Monday verified the participation of Patricia and Mark McCloskey in the convention. The news was first announced by The Washington Post.
- The McCloskeys, who are White, have declared they were protecting themselves from protesters marching on their private street. They were each imposed by a local prosecutor with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon. Trump has been critical of their approach and has spoken out in defense of the couple.
- On June 28th, protesters marched to the home of Mayor Lyda Krewson, when they diverted onto a private street where the McCloskeys’ $1.15 million home sits. According to a presumable cause statement filed in support of the charges, Mark McCloskey came out with a semi-automatic rifle, and his wife appeared with a semi-automatic handgun. No shots were fired, but St. Louis’ top prosecutor Kim Gardner said their actions jeopardized into creating a violent situation.
- Following the episode, the couple were both charged by Gardner for a felony unlawful use of a weapon. Trump criticized the charges. The McCloskeys were not arrested but were given the summons to arrive in court. The couple’s first hearing is set to be programmed for August 31st.
- Louis’ first Black circuit attorney Gardner, stated in an interview with The Associated Press that she will not seek jail time but recommend an alteration program such as community service.
- Trump argued that Gardner committed an “egregious abuse of power” in charging the couple. Last month, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said she backed Trump’s sentiment.
Mark and Patricia McCloskey’s lawyer, Joel Schwartz, verified with NPR Tuesday that the couple has been asked to take part; still, it remains unclear on what day as final details are currently being worked out. As per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, has thrown the idea of pardoning the McCloskeys should they be convicted.
