TRI In The News
Judge Dismisses Case Against Man Who Called Out to Richmond Police Officer Through Bullhorn
9/13/2011
TRI IN THE NEWS: JUDGE DISMISSES CASE AGAINST MAN WHO CALLED OUT TO RICHMOND POLICE OFFICER THROUGH BULLHORN
From The Republic
Original article available here.
RICHMOND, Va. — A Richmond judge has dismissed a disorderly conduct case against a man who used a bullhorn to accuse a police officer of harassing another person.
The Rutherford Institute said Tuesday that Circuit Judge William Stout ruled that Nathan Cox's speech was protected by the Constitution. Attorneys working with the Charlottesville-based free-speech advocacy group represented Cox, an Iraq War veteran and civil activist who was arrested April 15.
According to the institute, Cox was driving in Richmond when he saw an officer apparently conducting a traffic stop. Cox raised his bullhorn and told the officer: "Stop harassing people — we pay your paychecks."
Cox was convicted of disorderly conduct in General District Court and was given a 10-day suspended jail term and a $250 fine, but he appealed to Circuit Court.
