Just when you thought that this campaign season could not get more weird, Donald Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski has been charged with misdemeanor battery over allegations he grabbed the arm of then-Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields. A video does in fact show Lewandowski grabbing the arm of Fields though it seemed to pass fairly quickly (though Fields showed a bruise left in the aftermath). Most people would not view the encounter as battery and the delay in reporting the alleged crime may be raised at trial. That might not matter for the misdemeanor charge given the definition, as discussed below. The video is also below.
The alleged assault occurred after a March 8 press conference at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Fla. Lewandowski initially denied the incident and told Fields over Twitter that he had never even met her. The resulting police report stated Lewandowski “grabbed Fields left arm with his right hand, causing her to turn and step back.”
The Florida code defines battery quite broadly:
784.03 Battery; felony battery.—
(1)(a) The offense of battery occurs when a person:
1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other; or
2. Intentionally causes bodily harm to another person.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person who commits battery commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) A person who has one prior conviction for battery, aggravated battery, or felony battery and who commits any second or subsequent battery commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. For purposes of this subsection, “conviction” means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or a trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or a plea of nolo contendere is entered.
The picture from the reporter shows a bruise on her arm which the police clearly felt satisfied the condition of bodily harm. Yet, Lewandowski could argue that he was merely trying to give his candidate room and, as aides often do, trying to keep media at a distance. With the surging crowd, an effort to create a barrier to Trump could have unintentionally resulted in a more forceful tugging of the arm. On the other hand, Fields maintained that it was a painful grab that left her in pain. She later posted a statement wondering if these bruises appeared magically after the denial by Lewandowski:
Here are the charge sheets and the video:
Fields later resigned over what she saw as insufficient support from the conservative news site — a view shared by Editor-at-large Ben Shapiro who also resigned. In the meantime, Trump continues to support Lewandowski as innocent of the charges. Indeed, Trump says that Field grabbed him first and his aide was trying to help him.
A jury or even a judge may find this to be much to do about nothing. What do you think?
@Paul Schulte
Politically motivated, maybe?
It appears that the prosecutor in this case is a big Hillary supporter. Should we be colored surprised?
Squeeky Fromm:
You are right on the money. And of all places for this to happen, a State where if you just touch someone you are guilty of Battery. This is all a little too “Convenient”.
Can one of you anti-Trump persons help me find the frame that shows where he used his teeth, as stated in the criminal complaint? I am also having trouble finding the frame where he used his fist, as also stated in the criminal complaint.
Here is new twist that just posted on another website.
Michelle Fields’s mother, Xiomara, is a Honduran-born activist who opposed Donald Trump long before her daughter’s alleged incident.
The elder Fields runs a nonprofit for illegal immigrants in Los Angeles that receives a substantial portion of its funding from the U.S. and California tax payers.
A 2014 posting on a forum for the Honduran consulate in Los Angeles accuses Fields’s mother of cheating illegal immigrants.
We reached out to both Fields and will update this post when we hear something back.
Michelle Fields clearly has a conflict of interest regarding Trump.
Her mother’s federal money will be cut off if Trump kicks out all the illegals makes America great again.
She claimed she was nearly thrown to the ground and that she had trouble regaining her balance. The video shows that neither of those things happened.
“In Florida, False Report of a Crime, or ‘False Police Report,’ occurs where a person makes a willful allegation to law enforcement regarding the commission of a crime, while knowing that no such crime has occurred. The offense carries misdemeanor penalties, including up to 1 year in jail.”
How about it?
FWIW:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CezIZBBW8AEDPbk.jpg
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
I have watched both videos, and I don’t see any battery, or assault taking place. Wiki defines a “media scrum” as:
Little Miss Snowflake got into the scum, and then wants to holler, “Battery!!!”
Hogwash.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Because she worked for Breitbart I tended to not believe her. After seeing the video I do believe her. Breitbart wants access and if they support her they will lose that access. Bullies need to be called out. Good for her for doing so.
Less abuse than getting in a NY, Chicago, Tokyo, Rome, etc mass transit car at rush hour. Big whoop.
Paul,
When I went to college in the 80s there were more women than men.
But it still wasn’t ok to punch them- even if I felt jealous of the valedictorian.
Paul,
I’m not talking about women now, Paul. I’m talking about the men (or those who pretend to be).
It seems that quite a few were raised to learn that it’s fine to manhandle women. Others were taught that only a bully and coward lays his hands on a woman. There was also the whole notion of “pick on someone your own size” that was learned, among other places, in the locker room. A bully- especially one that picked on a girl- was a shameful thing to be. Apparently both Trump and his thug at least agree on the shamefulness of the act as they are maintaining aggressive denials even after the video has left little doubt.
Of course, I suppose it is a lot to ask for a coward and bully to “man-up” and take responsibility.
Jim22,
Can’t see any logical reason why not. But maybe “logical” isn’t what you were going for?
fiver – the times have changed and not for the better. What we were taught 60 years ago is no longer applicable. Today there are more women in college than men. A girl is more likely to be valedictorian than a boy.
If she touched Trump then she is guilty of battery. Same strokes for different folks.
Paul, I wonder if women can vote in fiver’s “neck of the woods”?
Fields could file a rape charge for extra media attention.