Deli item launched by protester reportedly shattered and left condiment mark on immigration officer, court hears
A federal customs official has testified he could detect through his ballistic vest the force of a sandwich thrown at him by a Washington DC protester, who has faced court proceedings for physical attack.
Immigration and customs agent the government official informed the court panel the food item "burst all over him" and he "noticed the aromatic vegetables and mustard" on his official attire.
No party disputes that the accused, 37, did in fact lob vulgar language and a prepared food item at authorities deployed by the administration to monitor the nation's capital in the summer month.
The occurrence was filmed on recording and spread across the internet, making the defendant a symbol of opposition in the federal district to Trump.
State lawyers originally tried to obtain serious criminal counts against the defendant, but a grand jury declined to prosecute him.
The administration's sending of military personnel to the capital this summer caused protest from some of the DC citizens, who saw it as a politicisation of the armed forces.
Based on legal filings, Mr Dunn walked up to a police contingent at about 23:00 on the summer date, referring to them "extremists" and shouting: "What is your purpose? I don't want you in my city!"
The legal proceeding witnessed a reenactment from Mr Lairmore on the trial day as he gave evidence against the defendant.
"I could feel it through my protective gear," he testified of the food's collision, adding that an vegetable piece dangled from his police radio and condiment discolored his clothing.
The accused's attorney, Julia Gatto, stated in her opening statement that hurling the food item was a "innocent action that did not, could not, create physical damage".
But government attorney the state's representative said the defendant must be considered responsible.
"Regardless of identity, you cannot simply throwing stuff at individuals because you're angry," the prosecutor said.
Subsequent to the claimed attack was revealed, the defendant was dismissed from his job as a legal assistant in the government law department.
