Mark McCloskey was right about the rumors he and his wife were going to be charged for defending their home from an angry mob that trespassed on private property and threatened them.
But that’s not the end of the story. Governor Mike Parson already said that he would pardon the couple “if this is all about going after them for doing a lawful act.”
And it is.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner said Monday, “It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in nonviolent protest, and while we are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force, this type of conduct is unacceptable in St. Louis.”
Gardner completely ignored the fact that the mob was on private property, were told to leave, and threatened to kill the McCloskeys and burn down their house.
Weighing in on Fox News’s “Hannity” on Monday, Parson said he will pardon them “without a doubt.”
"I will do everything within the Constitution of the State of Missouri to protect law-abiding citizens and those people are exactly that,” he said. “They are law-abiding citizens, and they're being attacked frankly by a political process that's really unfortunate."
He continued: "They had every right to protect their property, their home, just like any of us would. If you had a mob coming towards you, whether they tore down a gate or not, when they come on your property, they don't have a right to do that in an aggressive manner. People have a right to protect their selves, their families, their property.”
On Twitter, he called Gardner's actions "outrageous."
Kim Gardner’s action toward the McCloskeys is outrageous.
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) July 20, 2020
Even worse, the Circuit Attorney’s office has admitted there is a backlog of cases and dozens of homicides that haven’t been prosecuted, yet she has accelerated this case forward.
Her inaction is not fostering an environment of safety for the many communities and neighborhoods in St. Louis she serves.
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) July 20, 2020
Attorney General Eric Schmitt also said Gardner was "engaged in a political prosecution" and that he will be "seeking a dismissal."
Citizens shouldn’t be targeted for exercising their #2A right to self-defense
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) July 20, 2020
STL prosecutor Kim Gardner is engaged in a political prosecution
As AG I’m entering the case seeking a dismissal & defend all Missourians’ right to protect their lives/property pic.twitter.com/kQLXOAhFIz