Mark and Patricia McCloskey, standing in front their house along Portland Place confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's house in the Central West End of St. Louis on June 28. …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
O'FALLON — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson told a radio host that based on the information he's received, it's likely he would pardon a white St. Louis couple if they are charged for brandishing guns during a racial injustice protest outside their mansion.
Democratic Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is investigating Mark and Patricia McCloskey, both in their 60s, for an incident on June 28. Protesters who were marching to the nearby home of Mayor Lyda Krewson walked onto the private street where the McCloskeys live.
The couple accused demonstrators of knocking down an iron gate marked with "No Trespassing" and "Private Street" signs, though a protest leader has said the gate was already open and no protesters damaged it. The McCloskeys came outside with weapons — him with a long-barreled gun and her with a small handgun.
Their actions, captured on video and viewed by millions, drew praise from some who said they were legally defending their home, but scorn from others who said they risked bloodshed by displaying the weapons. Photos emerged as memes on both sides of the gun debate.
Gardner has not disclosed whether she intends to file charges, but several leading Republicans — including President Donald Trump, Sen. Josh Hawley and Parson — have criticized her for even deciding to investigate the couple. Parson cited Missouri's "castle doctrine" law that justifies lethal force for those protecting their homes. Hawley is seeking a U.S. Department of Justice investigation of Gardner.
In an interview Friday on the Marc Cox Morning Show on 97.1 FM in St. Louis, Parson was asked if he would consider a pardon.
"I think that's exactly what would happen," Parson said. He later added that based on what he knows about the case, "I don't think they're going to spend any time in jail."
Parson on Saturday retweeted a link to the interview on his personal Twitter page. An email message left with his spokeswoman was not immediately returned.
A spokeswoman for Gardner declined comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
nav-oc Naviga Writer 2020-07-19T23:41:51Z false yes By Jim Salter The Associated Press MOCOL-072020-news-pardon
