Couple who waved guns at protesters pardoned by MO governor

[Stevicus]

Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons pardons McCloskeys, St. Louis couple who waved guns at protesters - UPI.com

Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday issued pardons to a St. Louis couple who brandished weapons at Black Lives Matter protesters last year.

Parson pardoned Mark McCloskey and Patricia McCloskey after they pleaded guilty to assault and harassment charges last month for the June 2020 incident at their home.

Mark McCloskey pointed an AR-15 at protesters while his wife waved a semiautomatic handgun as protesters walked through the gated community of Portland Place on their way to the mayor's home.

Last month, Mark McCloskey, 64, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and was fined $750. Patricia McCloskey, 62, pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and will pay a $2,000 fine and neither was sentenced to jail time.

They were also ordered to forfeit their weapons.

The couple previously pleaded not guilty to more serious charges, but a new plea agreement was reached after special prosecutor Richard Callahan amended charges.

In court proceedings, the couple said they felt threatened by the protesters, who they accused of breaking down an iron gate and ignoring a "no trespassing" sign.

Protesters said the demonstration was peaceful and Callahan said they "simply made a wrong turn on their way to protest in front of the mayor's house," adding there was no evidence any of the protesters were armed.

I found this last part interesting:

Since the incident, the McCloskeys gained national attention, including a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention and in May, Mark McCloskey announced a run for the Missouri state Senate.

Speaking at the Republican National Convention, and a run for the state Senate. That should be interesting.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I never understood why when people barely dodge a harsh prison sentence, they decide to run for political office.

 

[Stevicus]

I never understood why when people barely dodge a harsh prison sentence, they decide to run for political office.

Not sure how it is in MO, but here in AZ, there have been those wanting to bring new faces into the Republican Party, especially since there's a rift and the radicals want to get rid of those who didn't stand fully behind Trump. There are active efforts to get people more involved and even encouraging people to run for office.

If the same thing is happening in Missouri, then I'll bet someone might have approached this guy and gave him the idea to run.

 

[F1fan]

The MO governor is an embarrassment. He is well liked in rural Missouri.

 

[Father Heathen]

The Trump era GOP doesn't even pretend to have a moral compass anymore. As long as you're aligned with the right, then you can do no wrong.

 

[Shaul]

The crowd weren’t “protesters”, they were trespassers on private property and menacing the owners.

 

[F1fan]

The Trump era GOP doesn't even pretend to have a moral compass anymore. As long as your aligned with the right, then you can do no wrong.

I can't remember the last time a republican said they were the party of family values.

 

[F1fan]

The crowd weren’t “protesters”, they were trespassers on private property and menacing the owners.

Well, they were protestors passing through a gated community. Pointing guns at people walking through your community is illegal, which is why they were convicted of these crimes. These people are running for public office and have a lot of support. That is embarrassing.

 

[Shaul]

Well, they were protestors passing through a gated community. Pointing guns at people walking through your community is illegal, which is why they were convicted of these crimes. These people are running for public office and have a lot of support. That is embarrassing.

“Walking through” as you put it required entering private property without permission. That’s trespassing. The trespassers were menacing and threatening the residents. Criminalizing self protection doesn’t make it a genuine crime. The crime is the unjust law itself. Maybe you should prosecute the Capitol police for brandishing guns at the January 6th protesters.

 

[Revoltingest]

I never understood why when people barely dodge a harsh prison sentence, they decide to run for political office.

They became famous (or notorious) for a cause.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

The Trump era GOP doesn't even pretend to have a moral compass anymore. As long as your aligned with the right, then you can do no wrong.

you are correct

 

[Shaul]

The Trump era GOP doesn't even pretend to have a moral compass anymore. As long as your aligned with the right, then you can do no wrong.

Is that why Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed all those women?

 

[We Never Know]

They became famous (or notorious) for a cause.

Its time people start laying blame on people instead of a party. Dem or Repub do what they do for two reasons...
1. Its who they are
2. Its for election purposes

Term limits on every elected office be it, federal, state, county and city would stop a lot of the BS. Of course that's my opinion.

 

[We Never Know]

Is that why Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed all those women?

He did that because that's who he is. A party had nothing to do with that.

 

[Suave]

The crowd weren’t “protesters”, they were trespassers on private property and menacing the owners.

"In 2013, Mark McCloskey destroyed beehives being tended to by kids at a synagogue next door, leaving a note that the "structure constitutes a trespass," the paper reported. The note also threatened to sue the group if the destroyed hives weren't cleaned up.

The Jewish Central Reform Congregation constructed beehives just outside the McCloskeys' northern wall and planned to harvest the honey as part of a Rosh Hashanah tradition of eating apples and honey to ensure a "sweet new year," the Post-Dispatch reported."

Mark McCloskey evidently has a record of being overprotective of his property. Fortunately, Mrs. McCloskeys' handgun was inoperable as this was being aimed against the Black Lives Matter marchers; otherwise, somebody could have gotten seriously injured or killed. I'm against the private ownership of semi-automatic weapons like those used by the McCloskey's to antagonize the Black Lives Matter crowd marching past the McCloskey's mansion. I have recently traded away my 9 mm semi-auto S&W pistol in exchange for a 357 Magnum revolver. I am totally against any semi-auto weapons that could mow down a modest crowd of people in a matter of seconds.

 

[We Never Know]

"In 2013, Mark McCloskey destroyed beehives being tended to by kids at a synagogue next door, leaving a note that the "structure constitutes a trespass," the paper reported. The note also threatened to sue the group if the destroyed hives weren't cleaned up.

The Jewish Central Reform Congregation constructed beehives just outside the McCloskeys' northern wall and planned to harvest the honey as part of a Rosh Hashanah tradition of eating apples and honey to ensure a "sweet new year," the Post-Dispatch reported."

Mark McCloskey evidently has a record of being overprotective of his property. Fortunately, Mrs. McCloskeys' handgun was inoperable as this was being aimed against the Black Lives Matter marchers; otherwise, somebody could have gotten seriously injured or killed. I'm against the private ownership of semi-automatic weapons like those used by the McCloskey's to antagonize the Black Lives Matter crowd marching past the McCloskey's mansion. I have recently traded away my 9 mm semi-auto S&W pistol in exchange for a 357 Magnum revolver. I am totally against any semi-auto weapons that could mow down a modest crowd of people in a matter of seconds.

Some people are just asshats, no matter what party they follow/belong to.

 

[We Never Know]

"In 2013, Mark McCloskey destroyed beehives being tended to by kids at a synagogue next door, leaving a note that the "structure constitutes a trespass," the paper reported. The note also threatened to sue the group if the destroyed hives weren't cleaned up.

The Jewish Central Reform Congregation constructed beehives just outside the McCloskeys' northern wall and planned to harvest the honey as part of a Rosh Hashanah tradition of eating apples and honey to ensure a "sweet new year," the Post-Dispatch reported."

Mark McCloskey evidently has a record of being overprotective of his property. Fortunately, Mrs. McCloskeys' handgun was inoperable as this was being aimed against the Black Lives Matter marchers; otherwise, somebody could have gotten seriously injured or killed. I'm against the private ownership of semi-automatic weapons like those used by the McCloskey's to antagonize the Black Lives Matter crowd marching past the McCloskey's mansion. I have recently traded away my 9 mm semi-auto S&W pistol in exchange for a 357 Magnum revolver. I am totally against any semi-auto weapons that could mow down a modest crowd of people in a matter of seconds.

Hopefully you realize your 9 mm semi-auto S&W pistol and your 357 Magnum revolver,, both fire as fast as the trigger is pulled. .

 

[We Never Know]

Hopefully you realize your 9 mm semi-auto S&W pistol and your 357 Magnum revolver,, both fire as fast as the trigger is pulled. .

Edit....
Revolver 8 rounds in 1 second...

 

[F1fan]

“Walking through” as you put it required entering private property without permission. That’s trespassing. The trespassers were menacing and threatening the residents.

That's when responsible citizens call police. You don't pull guns on people who aren't posing a serious threat.

Criminalizing self protection doesn’t make it a genuine crime.

They needed guns to protect themselves from people walking by? They were a nuisance, not a threat. i'm sure once the guns came out there were plenty of words both ways. Words don't kill. This is why these people were charged with crimes.

The crime is the unjust law itself.

Irrelevant to the laws on the books that these people broke.

Maybe you should prosecute the Capitol police for brandishing guns at the January 6th protesters.

So you think the police shouldn't defend themselves against criminals. Over 140 of these police were injured, some permanently. Are you siding with the criminals against the police?

 

[Father Heathen]

Is that why Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed all those women?

Are you asking if Cuomo thought he could get away with it because Trump was able to? Your question doesn't make much sense. I don't see anyone trying to defend Cuomo, whereas Trump's bootlickers always cooked up denials and excuses for his predatory behavior.