"He is currently serving probation for an arrest at West Middle School vax clinic for assault with a deadly weapon—the deadly weapon being the stick that held his protest sign."
Aggravated assault (a felony) was the original charge. He pled to a misdemeanor, which is the sensible thing to do. The charge was total BS, not only because a lightweight stick is not a deadly weapon, but because assault implies someone is trying to hurt someone else. Dr. Spiehs wasn't trying to hit anyone with it. No one even claims that. He is described as "waving it".
This is a totally chilling charge. Any of us could be charged with a felony the way things are going - just jaywalk, spit on the ground, look at someone funny, don't look at someone...
The court systems in progressive areas are pretty explicit about believing that the over-representation of blacks and hispanics in jails is a result of racism - and some DAs and judges are taking steps to give blacks and hispanics extra chances. On the other end you see the FBI targeting conservatives and Christians. What if that's happening at the local level as well - what if that's seen as another way to achieve racial "equity" in the prisons? Or is it just a way of silencing the political opponents?
I could see an argument for both, but I think in this case it was a matter of silencing a political opponent (because nothing says "protect our democracy" like trying to have your political opponents arrested). Thankfully, no one has tried messing with Dr. Spiehs since the election ended, which is what leads me to believe it was more politically based than racial "equity". Still, there are going to be some interesting moments for him ahead.
"He is currently serving probation for an arrest at West Middle School vax clinic for assault with a deadly weapon—the deadly weapon being the stick that held his protest sign."
Aggravated assault (a felony) was the original charge. He pled to a misdemeanor, which is the sensible thing to do. The charge was total BS, not only because a lightweight stick is not a deadly weapon, but because assault implies someone is trying to hurt someone else. Dr. Spiehs wasn't trying to hit anyone with it. No one even claims that. He is described as "waving it".
This is a totally chilling charge. Any of us could be charged with a felony the way things are going - just jaywalk, spit on the ground, look at someone funny, don't look at someone...
The court systems in progressive areas are pretty explicit about believing that the over-representation of blacks and hispanics in jails is a result of racism - and some DAs and judges are taking steps to give blacks and hispanics extra chances. On the other end you see the FBI targeting conservatives and Christians. What if that's happening at the local level as well - what if that's seen as another way to achieve racial "equity" in the prisons? Or is it just a way of silencing the political opponents?
I could see an argument for both, but I think in this case it was a matter of silencing a political opponent (because nothing says "protect our democracy" like trying to have your political opponents arrested). Thankfully, no one has tried messing with Dr. Spiehs since the election ended, which is what leads me to believe it was more politically based than racial "equity". Still, there are going to be some interesting moments for him ahead.