Judge Dismisses Charges Vs. Bush Protest
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| Thu, 09-16-2004 - 1:44pm |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A judge has dismissed charges against a war protester who was arrested during a visit by President Bush (news - web sites) last spring.
The disorderly conduct charge against Joe Scott was dismissed after witnesses and a videotape contradicted police testimony about his actions.
Scott, 57, claimed he was being singled out by Nashville police during the May 27 visit. "I'm very relieved," he said Tuesday. "I've not been tried as a criminal before."
During the trial, police testified that they wanted Scott, who was holding a "Fire Bush" sign, to move away from the shoulder of the road because he was creating a safety problem and because the U.S. Secret Service wanted protesters at least 10 feet from the street.
Mounted patrol officer Rita Harden testified that Scott had resisted and had run across the street. A videotape of the confrontation showed that Harden used her horse to bump Scott into the street, but it never showed him running away.
Police testified that they asked both Bush supporters and Scott to move, but the video and still photographs contradicted that claim, defense attorney Mary Parker said.

Don't worry, if this gets any attention at all it will be people trying to make the claim that these photographs and the video are fakes. Heaven forbid if the allegation is made that the photographer may have donated money to the Kerry campaign.