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Missouri governor pardons couple who

pointed guns at protesters
4 hours ago

Missouri couple Mark and Patricia McCloskey pointed guns at protesters

A US couple who gained nationwide notoriety aer they pointed guns at

Black Lives Matter protesters last year have been pardoned.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey were filmed holding weapons outside their home
in St Louis, Missouri.

They were fined aer pleading guilty to misdemeanour charges this year.

But Missouri's Republican Governor Mike Parson has now pardoned them,
something he had promised aer US conservatives began to support the
couple.
The pair, both lawyers, appeared briefly at last year's Republican National
Convention, and Mr McCloskey has announced plans to run for a US Senate
seat in Missouri.

"When the angry mob came to destroy my house and kill my family, I took a
stand against them," he reportedly said in a recent campaign video. "I will
never back down."

The incident took place on 28 June 2020 amid nationwide demonstrations

following the murder of George Floyd. Police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on
his neck for nine minutes, and has been sentenced to over 22 years in prison.

EXPLAINER: What really went on in St Louis that day?

Video footage of Mark McCloskey waving an assault rifle and Patricia

McCloskey carrying a semi-automatic pistol quickly went viral.

The two became a symbol of US divisions over the protests, with Democrats
harshly criticising them and Republicans praising the lawyers.

The pair were quickly charged. A complaint issued by St Louis Circuit Attorney
Kim Gardner said both had displayed their semi-automatic weapons "readily
capable of lethal use, in an angry or threatening manner".

In June this year Mr McCloskey, 63, pleaded guilty to misdemeanour fourth-

degree assault and was fined $750 (£538). His wife, 61, pleaded guilty to
misdemeanour harassment and was fined $2,000.

But at the start of their legal case Governor Parson had vowed to pardon them
if convicted. On Tuesday his office issued a press release confirming he had
stuck to his promise.

Related Topics

Missouri United States Black Lives Matter

More on this story

US couple who waved guns at protesters plead guilty

17 June
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