Gun charges filed in protest encounter

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis’ top prosecutor on Monday charged a white husband and wife with felony unlawful use of a weapon for displaying guns during a racial-injustice protest outside their mansion.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who are both personal-injury attorneys in their 60s, also face a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree assault after he confronted protesters with a semi-automatic rifle, screamed at them and pointed the weapon at them, according to a probable-cause statement. The statement said Patricia McCloskey then emerged with a semi-automatic handgun, yelling at protesters to “go” and pointing it at them. No shots were fired.

Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner said the McCloskeys’ actions risked creating a violent situation during an otherwise nonviolent protest.

“It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner — that is unlawful in the city of St. Louis,” Gardner said.

An attorney for the couple, Joel Schwartz, in a statement called the decision to charge “disheartening as I unequivocally believe no crime was committed.” Supporters of the McCloskeys said they were legally defending their $1.15 million home.

Several Republican leaders have condemned Gardner’s investigation, including President Donald Trump, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Sen. Josh Hawley, who has urged Attorney General William Barr to undertake a civil-rights investigation of Gardner. On Friday, Parson said in an interview that he would likely pardon the couple if they were convicted.

(AP/Brattleboro Reformer/Kristopher Radder) Henry Schwartz and Sengi Kimura look for fish Monday in the West River in Brattleboro, Vt.