The St. Louis couple who pointed their firearms at demonstrators protesting George Floyd’s death will no longer serve time behind bars for their actions. As the Associated Press reported, Mark and Patricia McCloskey have received pardons from Missouri Governor Mike Parson.
“Today we are incredibly thankful that Governor Mike Parson righted this wrong and granted us pardons.”
The McClokseys gained notoriety amid the wave of social justice demonstrations that took place in the wake of Floyd’s murder. As protesters made their way to the home of then-St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, they pulled out their guns and brandished them at the peaceful group of people— who allegedly trespassed onto a private street — because they felt threatened.
They initially faced felony charges of the unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering, but after a grand jury indictment, their charges were amended to misdemeanor harassment. Patricia has since pleaded guilty misdemeanor harassment and was hit with a $750 fine. Mark, on the other hand, was fined $2,000 after he admitted he’s guilty of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and defended his decision to point his gun at the protesters.
“I’d do it again,” he said after a previous court hearing. “Any time the mob approaches me, I’ll do what I can to put them in imminent threat of physical injury because that’s what kept them from destroying my house and my family.”
While Republicans defended the statements of Mark, who is running for a seat in the US Senate, Democratic leaders were disappointed by the court’s ruling.
“It is beyond disgusting that Mark and Patricia McCloskey admitted they broke the law and within weeks are rewarded with pardons,” said Missouri House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade.
“The governor’s stunt ominously underscores that under his watch, justice belongs only to the privileged elite in this state,” added Democratic state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley.
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