Posted on 11/21/2013 7:45:05 AM PST by centurion316
Jurors decided on a $2,000 fine Wednesday afternoon for Army Master Sgt. Christopher "C.J." Grisham of Temple, whose case has drawn the attention of gun-rights advocates nationwide.
Grisham will not serve any time in jail.
Jurors found guilty Grisham Tuesday of interference with the duties of an officer.
The offense is a class-B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no more than $2,000 and a jail sentence of not more than 180 days.
Grisham, who plans to appeal the guilty verdict, said he’s relieved he won’t spend time behind bars.
"I'm glad I'm not going to be wearing stripes here pretty soon. I think that was a very fair thing for the jury to do to just assess a fine,” he said
There is a finding of guilt and there's got to be punishment, so I freely accept that regardless of my thoughts on the verdict. I'm pleased with the fine and the fact that I'm going to be able to go home to my family,” he said.
In closing arguments Wednesday, Grisham’s attorney, Blue Rannefeld, reminded jurors they had the option of sentencing Grisham to no fine and no jail time.
But prosecutor John Gantt, Jr., told jurors, “We want Grisham to know this was wrong and you can’t do this.”
“He still doesn’t get it,” Gantt said.
Grisham was arrested in March 2013 after police received a report about a man who was carrying an assault-style rifle while walking along Airport Road in West Temple.
Grisham said he was just walking with his son to help him get a Boy Scout Badge, but police confiscated the rifle and arrested him after the encounter his son recorded on camera.
SNIP
Grisham was charged with misdemeanor interference with the duties of an officer.
(Excerpt) Read more at kwtx.com ...
Grisham is an idiot. Several of his friends that I know agree. BTW, his arch nemesis, Michael Yon is also an idiot.
Wearing his uniform to the sentencing hearing was completely inappropriate. This case has nothing to do with his military status.
The prosecutor, the police, and the judge are using the law to intimidate and bully the public and the people should not tolerate it. The first trial was a mistrial because one juror had the courage to stand up to kangaroo justice. They empaneled another jury that was more willing to bend to the judges demands.
He was not convicted of any weapons charge. He was convicted of "interfering with the duties of a police officer" who was behaving like the jack booted Gestapo thug that he is.
Posting a link to a page that requires member login without any explanation or comment is not going to advance the discussion.
So, was the video recording the basis for the "interference" charge - or was it just that Grisham made the officer miss the flashing-light special at Shipley Donuts?
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