Back on March 22 one of our great authors to Flopping Aces, Skye (and owner of her own blog MidnightBlue) was assaulted while photographing the weekly pro-troop rally in West Chester, PA. She gave a short description at the time:
beautiful day for a rally that turned ugly when a peace protester crossed the line from ugly remarks to violence.
Snarky retorts, name calling and mis characterizations by the CCPM are common place events in my 7 month documentary of this rally. Yesterday crossed the line, when I was struck twice by a peace protester. I can deal with all the above, but will NOT tolerate any form of violence against my person. I am consulting legal advice on this matter.
In short the jackass, John Meicht, slapped Skye while she was photographing him. The police arrived soon after and the idiot decided to shove the cop which had the usual result:
Here is what the idiot looks like when not doubled over handcuffed:
Well, news today on his court date:
David F. Cleveland, 48, of West Chester, entered into a 60-day summary agreement in which he would agree to plead guilty to summary charges stemming from a March 22 altercation at the weekly dueling protests Uptown. Cleveland, a member of the Chester County Peace Movement, was charged with Failure to Disperse on Official Order and Disorderly Conduct after he allegedly disobeyed direct orders from Ofc. Jason O’Neill as a fellow peacenik protester, John Meicht, was taken into custody.According to the Criminal Complaint, Cleveland “had followed (the officers) across High Street to the patrol vehicle” where Meicht was secured after being placed under arrest. Cleveland “was visibly agitated and approximately three feet away from (Ofc. O’Neill)” and was “yelling and screaming about the arrest of Meicht and waving his arm and pointing his finger.”Cleveland was ordered to get away from the officers and was reportedly growing “more agitated and aggressive.” Eventually, he was placed under arrest, however not before allegedly “pushing off the vehicle with his body and resisting efforts to handcuff him.”Cleveland’s case was continued until July 15 (15-1-01, CR-0000087-08).
Meicht, 62, of West Chester, was charged with Simple Assault, Resisting Arrest, REAP, Disorderly Conduct, and Harassment. A prelim in his case is scheduled for Friday at 15-1-04 (15-1-04, CR-0000101-08). It’s not entirely clear as to why both cases were filed in different courts, though at least Meicht will be in front of a judge who is probably sympathetic to his cause
Any idea where the loyalty of the above reporting blogger lies? Sure isn’t with those who support the troops I stand corrected. The blogger, Creighton Rabs at West Chester Unplugged, is fully behind Skye and the rest of the pro-troop crowd.
Lets just hope this judge doesn’t let his partisanship get in the way of justice…..yeah, I know. We all know it will but we can still hope.
UPDATE
Video of some of the assault:
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