St. Louis prosecutors will NOT prosecute nine people charged with trespassing on couple’s home

A group of nine “protesters” charged with misdemeanor trespassing after some St. Louis homeowners warded them off with guns in June will not be prosecuted, city officials said on Sept. 29.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey achieved some fame after coming out of their home brandishing an AR-15 rifle and a semiautomatic handgun, respectively. They have both been charged with unlawful use of a weapon, which is a felony.

The nine protesters were issued citations in September. It wasn’t clear why just nine out of the estimated crowd of 300 protesters received summonses. The marchers were using the street to get to the house of Mayor Lyda Krewson.

According to MailOnline, Deputy City Counselor Michael Garvin said in a statement on Sept. 29 that the prosecution of the trespassing charges “is not warranted.”

“After consideration of all factors, the city counselor determined that prosecution is not warranted against these particular individuals. Having reached that conclusion, all charges were refused,” Garvin said.

Municipal court prosecutors reviewed video, conducted interviews and examined property records after the incident. Garvin said residents who serve as trustees of the neighborhood, Portland Place, did not want to press trespassing charges.

The McCloskeys have since become national figures for gun rights and gave an opening-night speech at last month’s Republican National Convention. Their lawyer, Joel Schwartz, said that the demonstrators were clearly trespassing and the McCloskeys “were clearly within their rights to do what they did.”

Missouri Governor Mike Parson criticized the charges against the McCloskeys and said he will pardon them if they are convicted.