Charges were filed Monday for one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon against the St. Louis couple, who both happen to be lawyers, for aiming weapons at aggressive protesters who crashed through a gate and marched through their upscale community last month.
Mark and Patricia McCloskey, a married couple who are both lawyers in Missouri, said they were defending their home on a private street in their neighborhood from a crowd that was protesting and marching towards Mayor Lyda Krewson’s house. The couple have found themselves in a situation where videos and photos showing Mark with a rifle and Patricia with a pistol have created a storm of controversy between those who think the couple has a right to defend their home and those who claim they were harassing peaceful protesters.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who was responsible for filing charges against the McCloskeys, said she chose the reformist approach for this low-level crime and did not order that they be arrested. Instead, summonses were issued, and Gardner said she would consider them for a diversion program, which allows the charges to be dismissed if they attended counseling. If not, the charge could deliver a sentence ranging from a few months of probation to four years in prison.
Mark McCloskey said on Fox News Monday night that, “It’s a totally upside-down world. The prosecutor apparently thinks her job isn’t to keep us safe from criminals, but to keep the criminals safe from us. … We’re not going to apologize for doing what’s right.”
Their attorney, Joel J. Schwartz, said the charges are “disheartening, as I unequivocally believe no crime was committed.” He said that the couple “supports the First Amendment right of every citizen to have their voice and opinion heard. This right, however, must be balanced with the Second Amendment and Missouri law, which entitle each of us to protect our home and family from potential threats.”
Gardner contends that “it is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in nonviolent protest.” She indicated that if the McCloskeys completed a diversion program that it “would serve as a fair resolution to this matter.”
Missouri Governor Mike Parson said in a radio interview last week that he would probably pardon the couple if they were charged. “I think that’s exactly what would happen,” Parson told host Marc Cox. “I don’t think they’re going to spend any time in jail.” The governor followed those comments with a post on social media saying, “We will not allow law-abiding citizens to be targeted for exercising their constitutional rights.”
The governor of Missouri has called for Gardner’s resignation, and Senator Josh Hawley demanded that she be investigated for civil rights violations. In addition, the mayor has received death threats, and racist insults due to the debate of protesters’ rights vs. the self-defense and Second Amendment rights of homeowners.
The McCloskeys claim they acted appropriately after “a mob” smashed their way through the private community’s gate. “The only thing that stopped the crowd from approaching the house was when I had that rifle,” Mark McCloskey said in an interview. “[It was] the only thing that stemmed the tide.”
Gardner needs to be removed from office and charges filed against her – this is abuse of her position. This is totally absurd.
Arrest all leaders being “bribed” by George Soros! Bribery is against the law and NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW”
Unless it’s a democrat!
This entire 4 year coup ( no longer silent ) is totally absurd!!! I say we take back our country !!!
Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is a racist. She was against McCroskey’s from the start of this. She has violated their rights. She has no business being in any government office.
Very simple. Gardner swore an oath to uphold the US Constitution and the law. In her charging the McCloskys she is in violation of both, as well as in violation of their civil rights. She should be charged with those violations as well as dereliction of duty, among other felony/federal charges.
It seems to me that that they are being railroaded by a bunch of Liberal Democrats for their Socialist and immoral reasons. Just a way for these politicians who are supporting a bunch of murdering thugs who are calling themselves a political movement !!.
If these people are charged all hell will break loose because that means the laws are no longer protecting us. Even if they are pardoned you will see an explosion in violence against the BLM and antifa organizations guaranteed American Patriots will stand up and fight back with a vengeance. God Bless America may God bless us all in this fight for freedom . Amen
James, You have it exactlly right my friend ! I am a vet who stands with you and ready !!
They need to arrest that kim gardner Clod!
The protesters were on private property. They should be charged. Garner is a racist that should be removed from office.Castle doctrine prime example! They were threatened and it was their property. Lucky it ended up as non violent as it did.
They have the right to defend themselves just like every other American citizen. We must stand together to help these people because if not they will pick us apart one at a time and strip us of these rights to protect ourselves. With a record number of gun sold just in the first part of this year employee all of you to stand up fight for our rights and the people who are being prosecuted now for exercising their rights. Now is the time to unite. Just as the first Patriots flag represented Join or Die.
I just read that the couple was being charged with inciting a riot. Those charges are misplaced and fraudulent because of George Soros is paying to have this case prosecuted. That is how corrupt the Democratic side of the system is. but it won’t work this time too many Patriots are behind these people and we will not stop fighting until all of you terrorists are imprisoned or removed from the country. God Bless America
The so called “Peaceful” protesters ceased being peaceful and broke the laws of both BREAKING AND ENTERING and TRESPASSING the moment they broke down that gate. With that said, Circuit Attorney Kim Gardener then not only failed to do her job(Dereliction Of Duty) by not prosecuting any of those violent protesters, but also violated her Oath Of Office when she failed to honor her sworn oath to uphold and protect The Constitution Of The United States Of America as well as the laws of her state, when she violated the McCloskey’s 2 nd Amendment Rights to bear arms and protect their own lives and their property. Furthermore, she also violated 18 U.S.C. ~ 242 – Deprivation Of Rights Under Color Of Law ……which states –
.Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or to different punishments, pains, or penalties, on account of such person being an alien, or by reason of his color, or race, than are prescribed for the punishment of citizens, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if bodily injury results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.
Kim Gardener is guilty of all of these charges ……… she must be immediately arrested and put on trial. Furthermore, her office must be declared vacant and a new Circuit Attorney installed. Hopefully a Republican or Independent who will stand up for the Citizen’s Rights.
Another thing to remember is the pistol that Patricia McCloskey was holding was inoperable because it had been incorrectly assembled and had been simply used as a prop in another case. One of Gardner’s assisyants disassembled a re-assembled it correctly and fired it – then introduced it as “evidence.” In other words the Prosecutor/Persecutor’s office Tampered With Evidence/Fabricated Evidence illegally and need to be charged as such. Also, don’t forget that this looks like a Conspiracy To Violate Civil Rights.
That wouldn’t have happened here. There would have been bullets flying and dead protesters.
No, lawyers take no “ oath”. If they told the truth, they would starve!
Crashing through a private gate, proclaiming, arson, murder, and pillaging isn’t threatening?
Here in Texas they’d have been stopped cold dead at the gate, and the defenders would have held place of honor at a beer and bar b que party. Missouri, I lived there for a while, I am ashamed of you!
Likewise here in Arizona. I notice that there haven’t been any AntifaBLM riots here.
Don’t ATTs. have to swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth when they pass their BAR EXAMS. Any att. that changes something to make it fit his or her agenda should be disbarred and any ATT. that knowingly goes along with the change should have the same fate DISBARRED. The governor of the state should look at that gun and what was done
about it not being able to fire at the time it was used. The ATTS. INVOLVED in the change should be disbarred!!!! They
fit in as liers to the court. I can’t lie to the court and neither should they be allowed to!!!!!
What happened to the Governor? I thought he was supposed to stop this B S . Governors see to have an awful lot of power, they can suspend YOUR Constitutional rights with the stroke of a pen. What’s happening here?
I think we are in for a long fight if we want to keep America free!
as lawyers im sure the mcloskey’s know what the various constitutional ammendments stand for. Keep bowing down to these vigilantes and so called peaceful protesters and see what that gets you. You liberals better hope that you are never in their shoes. Or even better, maybe you can call the police that you are so keen on defunding and hope that they dont send a social worker to diffuse the situation. Pathetic!!!!
they where in the right to protect life and property the people where trespassing
This is a travesty against two innocent, law abiding citizens, and should end immediately.
Kim Gardner is a racist, agenda driven, nut case, should be disbarred, and never practice her twisted law anywhere.
The only person who should go to counseling is Kim Gardner.
The Governor is is a spinless candy ass! Pardon! You don’t pardon folks that have committed no crime.
The longer this non-sense is allowed to go on, the more the outrage grows with the freedom loving, law abiding majority.
Why the hell is a small number of loosers, participation generation, mind controlled, discontents and law breakers determining policy for the country? WHEN YOU VOTE FOR TRASH, YOU GET GARBAGE.
Total bullshit. The Mccloskeys should be praised for stand6up to terrorists. And Gardner should be brought up on charges and removed from her position. This is getting scary, when law abiding citizens cannot protect themselves from a mob of terrorists. TO ALL WHITE AMERICANS, STAY LOCKED AND LOADED. WE ARE BEING BLAMED FOR EVERYTHING AND THESE ANIMALS ARE ALLOWED TO LOOT, BURN, MUDER, AND DESTROY WHATEVER THRY WANT WITH IMPUNITY.
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND THEIR PROPERTY.
The only way to stop arnachist is to confront them.
The AntifaBLM thugs are *not* “anarchists”; no real Anarchist would let themselves be ruled by self-styled warlords. By their actions, the AntifaBLM crowd have proved that they are Fascists — Left Fascists, but Fascists all the same — and they should be treated accordingly. Call them by their rightful name, arrest and convict them and sentence them to exile — preferably to Mauritania, where slavery still exists.
Gardner is obviously using this well-publicized event as a tool against 2A rights, during this election year. The McCloskeys stood up as most gun owners would have — protecting their property and lives, in face of a goofy mob of gangsters. The McCloskeys made us all proud the way they stood up. The well-publicized photo of the two of them should be enshrined and celebrated.
Kim Gardner needs to be disbarred and thrown in jail. Along with her assistant for tampering with the pistol. Praying daily that Gardner catches the coronavirus with terminal results…that heathen more than deserves it. Along with Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein, and their comrades in Congress, all the mob participants and their financiers, corrupt mayors, and more.
Wonder how much better our great nation would be without the phony pretentious people that fool others with their lies and their never meant nor kept promises, always saying what others want to hear but not once ever really meaning a word. Wonder how much good all the money that folks like Soros spend trying to “buy” power and control, if they’d instead, invest that money in helping the sick, the needy, the homeless. Democrat lies, fabricated untrue stories, deliberate omission of exculpatory evidence and omission of words – words that were in the phone call transcript between President Trump and the Ukraine President that compulsive liar Schiff changed, then read his version to Congress and the American people- blatantly lying to everyone with zero accountability. The Russia never was collusion hoax- the fabricated, fake Mueller investigation, where he uncovered the TRUTH that there was in FACT NO COLLUSION, but DELIBERATELY, UNETHICALLY, IMMORALLY, DECEITFULLY, WITHHELD these findings for more than TWO YEARS, lying month after month to the American People, their real intent to FLIP THE HOUSE, and did under FALSE PRETENSE- miraculously after midterm elections were over, they released the FACTUAL FINDINGS OF NO RUSSIA COLLUSION! But damage was done and EVERY AMERICAN HAS SUFFERED BECAUSE OF THIS DELIBERATE ACT OF BETRAYAL AGAINST ALL OF US. The Democrats obsession with Power and Control at any cost, COST US DEARLY. Our ONLY HOPE moving forward is for the Democrat loyalists to open their eyes and ears and recognize the TRUTH and the FACTS. Stop allowing themselves to be taken advantage of, lies to, deceived. If we want to really effect change, help with racial injustice, all injustices, we need a small diversified group of caring individuals that can cast aside their prejudices, value one another’s opinions, regardless of race, religion or nationality and work hard to develop sound plans that if implemented will help bring our country together, improve race relationships across the board, put programs in place that provide equal opportunity to achieve the goals each person desires. This group, to succeed, must be VOID of POLITICS, VOID of POLITICIANS, which can be involved later in the process AFTER the plans and programs are agreed upon, so these politicians- a bipartisan group, can help facilitate the groups final plans.
We cannot correct, change or erase problems of the past, with thoughtless, emotionally, politically driven actions of today. However, we can utilize the past to insure we don’t repeat the same mistakes, and at the same time, utilize the goodness in those same people that made those mistakes. We can’t change our beginning, nor where we’ve been, but we can start where we are, and effectively change our future.
GOD BLESS OUR GREAT NATION AND GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.
❤️
DC, you make a lot if sense, but I have to differ on one point . I am not sure the race relations can ever be satisfied . Until the minority has everything the white person has worked for. I sympathize with the minorities And their struggles, but not every white person got rich off the backs of slaves. I was born poor. I worked my ass off to get out of that situation. I spent 20 years an active duty member of our Armed Forces, and 20 more as a civilian employee for the DoD. I am by no means rich, but I am comfortable. I will fight anyone who tries to take it from me.
The day has arrived. You can no longer defend yourself, family, property or anything else. Your rights are being taken and enslavement is next. When the “Bill of Rights” is taken the people will not have any recourse against the socialist communist government you voted for. I am now 77 years old and never expected this country would become a communist socialist country with their agenda to subvert the people. You have not listen to the socialist communist fro the last 75 years. They have telling you and the children that socialist are great and capitalist are what is wrong with the world. You are about to find out what is next for you slaves. Corruption is on the march for you freedom.
God only helps those who can help themselves. Once you are enslaved, you shall not any chose, unless you understand corruption you are out of luck. Your life will not be your own. Do as they say or become history. Look to Valenzuela for your future.
The “peaceful” protesters broke down an iron gate to trespass. I would be afraid for my house and my life. These animals are dangerous. This attorney general is more than dangerous.
The folks defending there home from anyone are right. Protesters were not without bad intentions if its a gated community ment only for those whom own land in the community! The people are in the right to defend there family and home in America. If you don’t believe it get the heck out of this country..
This couple was 100% correct! Protesting does not me you go after people in their homes. It doesn’t mean you invade their homes. You damned well should know you have a right to walk your protest down the street, but what has happened recently would lead anyone to know they had better defend their personal property from people who are being paid by Leftists and Socialists billionaires to escalate these protests into armed battles.
Charged with, “Resisting a/to riot”? Shit, they should run for office then!
It’s fairly clear this is a race issue. I seen so many video clips of situations were BLM members during A “peaceful” protest were carrying AR-15’s, snd no arrests were made. Make no mistake about it, they had every right to own the weapons, and they were dealing with trespassers who threatened them. These liberal officials will change their mind when the protestors turn on them. Ask the Mayor of Seattle. See what happened when they showed up at her house. Their little CHAZ was shut down.
This is totally ludicrous!!
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is just proving why St. Louis is in “The State of Misery”
Kim Gardner is a bona fide LOONEY TUNE!
why not