(ETH) – Remember the St. Louis couple that was standing on their own property with a firearm claiming they were defending their home from possible looters and violence? A grand jury has just indicted this couple who displayed guns while hundreds of racial injustice protesters marched on their private street.
According to a report from the Associated Press, Al Watkins, an attorney for the couple, confirmed the indictments against Mark McCloskey, 63, and Patricia McCloskey, 61. The McCloskeys, who themselves are both attorneys, have become folk heroes among some conservatives. They have continued to defend their actions by saying they were simply exercising their Second Amendment right to bear arms and were protected by Missouri’s castle doctrine law that allows the use of deadly force against intruders.
The report has also stated that this controversial case has caught the attention of President Donald Trump, and the Republican Missouri Governor. Mike Parson who has stated that he will pardon the couple if they are convicted. In addition to the weapons charge, the grand jury indictment also includes a tampering with evidence charge.
The McCloskeys have continued to stress that the protest was hardly peaceful and said the protesters came onto the private street after knocking over an iron gate and ignoring a “No Trespassing” sign and said they felt threatened. Their attorney Al Watkins has said accusations against the McCloskeys are “effectively demonstrating the highest degree of ineptitude and inappropriate behavior” from Gardner’s office.
