"Violent Bob" Etheridge On the Way Out of Congress?
Bob Etheridge's assault of a student reporter last week went viral this morning when the videos went out on Brietbart.com and BigGovernment.com. Frankly, the thug should resign for his behavior, but that requires more honor than I think he retains.
It remains to be seen if his victims will press charges. Even if Etheridge doesn't have the decency or sense of shame to resign, disgust at his assault has led to a huge increase in donations for his Republican challenger, nurse Renee Ellmer, in a district that leans conservative.Etheridge was supposed to be a lock in November. Now it appears he's just as likely to be locked up.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 02:56 PM
Comments
Posted by: DavidL at June 14, 2010 03:42 PM (EmDLH)
Posted by: duncan at June 14, 2010 04:03 PM (lGcPs)
Posted by: mixitup at June 14, 2010 04:56 PM (Z21cb)
Law school 101 folks: no one has the right to assault and battery another person, except in self-defense. A camera in one's face, particularly when you are a politician or celebrity in the public eye, is not grounds for self-defense; just ask Sean Penn. Etheridge is an attorney by training. He knows this better than most and should be prosecuted accordingly.
Posted by: AtticusNC at June 14, 2010 05:00 PM (dN+ar)
Posted by: rumcrook¾ at June 14, 2010 05:44 PM (60WiD)
Posted by: Frank at June 14, 2010 06:01 PM (jirxU)
Posted by: Comanche Voter at June 14, 2010 06:56 PM (ktYjH)
That said, the police do have substantial, legitimate discretion and there are certainly reasons why they might not make a given arrest even though they would be justified in so doing. However this video is more than sufficient probable cause for any competent police officer to apply for an arrest warrant and more than sufficient for any competent district attorney to complete the necessary paperwork and prosecute the case. In fact, having such a video would make any competent prosecutor giddy with delight and any defense attorney desperate to plea bargain to keep that video and a jury as far apart as possible.
Of course, in DC, politicians of the proper rank may well be immune to arrest, though since this one is a white male, he may be a bit less immune than some. However, the DC police can surely arrest the man, and the DC prosecutors can prosecute him, should they have the testicular fortitude necessary. There is no doubt that he committed an assault.
Posted by: mikemcdaniel at June 14, 2010 08:42 PM (dXJzV)
Posted by: emdfl at June 14, 2010 08:56 PM (vwRFo)
Posted by: Ben at June 15, 2010 06:36 AM (eXdIs)
Posted by: megapotamus at June 15, 2010 06:51 AM (GkvNf)
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