10 months ago
DC Protester Found Not Guilty of Assault for Sandwich Throw
Imagine a man named Sean was at a protest and threw a sandwich at a government agent.
The sandwich hit the agent, and the agent said it smelled like onions and mustard.
Some of the agent's friends made jokes about it later, even giving him a toy sandwich.
A video of this went viral.
Sean's lawyers said that because the other agents thought it was funny, it wasn't a serious attack.
A judge or jury decided that Sean did not commit a crime called assault.
Sean was relieved but lost his job after the incident.
Sean Dunn was found not guilty of misdemeanor assault for throwing a sandwich at a US Border Patrol agent.
The incident occurred on August 10 during a protest in Washington D.C.
Dunn's lawyers admitted he threw the sandwich but argued it was not a criminal act.
Agent Gregory Lairmore testified that the sandwich hit him and smelled of onions and mustard.
Dunn was acquitted after a two-day trial but subsequently lost his job as a paralegal.
- Who
- Sean Dunn, a 37-year-old protester, and US Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore
- What
- Dunn was found not guilty of misdemeanor assault for throwing a sandwich at Agent Lairmore during a protest.
- Where
- Washington D.C.
- When
- The incident occurred on August 10, and the verdict was announced after a two-day trial.
- Why
- Dunn was protesting the deployment of federal agents and National Guard troops in the city.
Defense Argument
Prosecution Argument
Nature of the Act
Defense Argument
The act of throwing a sandwich was not a criminal assault, as evidenced by the mocking reactions and jokes from the agent's colleagues.
Prosecution Argument
Throwing a sandwich at an agent, causing it to 'explode all over him,' constitutes assault.
Intent and Impact
Defense Argument
The incident was a symbolic act of protest, not intended to cause harm, and the agent's reaction and colleagues' jokes suggest a lack of serious impact.
Prosecution Argument
The agent testified to feeling the impact through his vest and the lingering smell of food, indicating a direct and undesirable physical contact.
Key facts
- Defendant
- Sean Dunn
- Victim
- Agent Gregory Lairmore
- Incident Date
- August 10
- Location
- Washington D.C.
- Charge
- Misdemeanor Assault
- Verdict
- Not Guilty
- Outcome for Defendant
- Lost job as paralegal at Department of Justice
Quotes
Gregory Lairmore
US Border Patrol agent who was the target of the sandwich throw
“exploded all over him”
timesnownews.com
Julia Gatto
Sean Dunn’s lawyer
“They all think it’s funny”
timesnownews.com
Sean Dunn
Washington D.C. protester found not guilty of assault
“relieved and ready to move on”
timesnownews.com
