In June, we reported that charges had been
filed against two separate individuals for assaults against our
Flaggers. You can find the original story here:
http://vaflaggers.blogspot.com/2016/06/violent-agitator-arrested-for-assault.html
Yesterday, both cases were heard before the Richmond District Court.
The case against Kristofer Goad, who verbally assaulted TriPp Lewis, was the first heard.
Kristofer Goad (AKA "Goad Gatsby") See the video of the incident here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SeEkanZ3XY **WARNING: GRAPHIC PROFANITY**
This is the same individual who has tried unsuccessfully for several years to
organize counter protests against us. For some time, he would show up
alone, on his tricycle, and attempt to drive us away by blasting
profanity-laced rap music at very high volume levels. Five years later,
we are still out there, twice a week, and he has long since given up
and gone home.
The trial started with the judge asking TriPp to describe what
happened. When TriPp's testimony began, the judge stopped him and asked
that all children be cleared from the courtroom due to the level of
profanity the defendant had used. When the prosecutor played the video,
the profanity laced shouts and rage from the defendant could be heard echoing
through the chamber, obviously effecting even those who could not see
the video being played at the bench.
The defense attorney then tried to make the case that since neither the
crowd nor TriPp had actually ACTED OUT when provoked, that the defendant wasn't
guilty. He moved to dismiss the charges based on this assumption.
The judge denied the motion and in his comments blasted the notion that
somehow a crime had not been committed simply because the man being
assaulted was a gentleman and kept his cool and did not react in any
way. He went on to say that one cannot direct that kind of language, in
that manner, at an individual, or at a group ABOUT an individual, and
not be guilty of breaking the law. He found the evidence more than
sufficient to convict.
At this point, he turned to TriPp and told him, "What happens from here
is up to you, Sir. Do you want this man to have a record?" To which
TriPp quickly and emphatically replied "YESSIR."
He was convicted of
the misdemeanor and ordered to pay a fine. The judge's final words to Kristofer: "Clean your language up, young man"
Plans are underway to also file a civil suit. Stay tuned...
The
second case, heard the same day in the same court, was to hear charges
against this woman, for pouring the contents of her beverage on several
of our Flaggers as she walked down the sidewalk in front of the VMFA.
Although she admitted to VMFA Security that
the act was intentional, and there was video presented from VMFA
security cameras that clearly showed her walking by and slinging the
drink at our Flaggers, she changed her story when questioned in court
and claimed the act was unintentional and that she only meant to pour
the drink on the ground. This after her attorney argued unsuccessfully
that the act in itself was not battery.
Because of this, and the fact that she never looked at our Flaggers, or
said anything to them when she did it, the judge found that there was
reasonable doubt as to intent and dismissed the charges.
We also plan to explore the possibility of filing a civil suit in this matter.
Overall, we are satisfied that we were able to get the conviction and
that even though the other case was dismissed, the arrest and trial will
serve as a deterrent not only for the woman involved in that case, but
for any others who think that just because they disagree with someone or
what they say, they have the right to disrespect or assault them. We
will not tolerate it and will continue to prosecute any such incidents
to the full extent of the law. For those who escape justice in the
courtroom, we know that God will vindicate and leave the final judgement
in His hands.
Finally, we still have charges pending against this man, Jonathan
Romans, who has a history of spitting at our Flaggers and shouting obscenities and
holding signs that falsely claim that we are "KKK" members, and prior convictions of
curse and abuse. Mr. Romans has four outstanding warrants currently, 3
for disorderly conduct and 1 for assault, but the Richmond Police have
been unable to locate him to serve the warrants.
RICHMOND AREA RESIDENTS: Please be on the lookout for this man and call RPD immediately if you see him. (804) 646-5100
3 comments:
Great job of standing up for your rights. Tomorrow I will be driving my truck with Confederate Flags on it to our monthly cemetery clean up here in Jacksonville Fla. I will be thinking of the Virginia Flags while I drive. Todd
Excellent! I for one am so impressed with the restraint shown by so many in this Nation who've been attacked just for believing something different than someone else. I applaud my Southern Compatriots for showing dignity in the face of a bunch of Rabble Rousers who know NOTHING about The South except what they've been fed and digested... they used to call that Propaganda. But that's another letter. Back to point; God Bless all of us in this battle. Deo Vindice
In all retrospect, it seems these people have serious mental issues. I think we need to pray for them .
Post a Comment