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?
Yeah, us Trump supporters are sooo bad! I guess we should have told her to put some ice on it!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
The only thing that interests me is all the lies and excuses the right wing folks put forward. They first LIE about what happened, then when that fails, they say it was no big deal. Incredibe! While it is only a misdemeanor, the fool was NOT in charge of security, nor to our knowledge was he a member of the Secret Service detail. If the SS was not worried about the reporter, this aide sure as hell had no business grabbing her. Then to compound this whole thing, not only did her employer accept the lies of Trump, but they refused to even believe her version of events. I hope that she now will realize the kind of political hacks and degenerates who are supporting Trump.
Wow. The “tough guys” on the web really come out when a woman gets manhandled.
I don’t get it.
Maybe boys are just raised differently in my neck of the woods. We were always taught that laying hands on a woman was a cowardly and despicable act.
I still believe that to be true, but who would have ever thought these cowards have such a large fan base?
fiver – if woman are in combat and in the locker room, then they can take a punch.
This itchBay was going after Trump and had a pen in her hand. It could have been a weapon–a poison pen. This guy intervenes. Gets her off his back. The criminal charge is a farce.
Imagine hiring her,
Well, my BFF, Penelope Dreadful, Esq., had me do these two pics, so you can probably guess what my opinion is:
https://pansiesforplato.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/fieldsquestion.jpg
and
https://pansiesforplato.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/fieldswitchtrial.jpg
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
I was just reading where the secret service had warned her to stop touching Trump, several times.
Dave, if or when you see the video and hear what the Secret Service says you’ll get a different perspective.
We have at least one presidential candidate that should be executed to their crimes, and THIS is news? Only in the distopian USSA.
The guy thinks he’s Doug from House of Cards.
She was walking along with everyone and then jerked back by his arm grab. It’s assault. And to say she’s seeking her 15 minutes is absurd.
Irrespective of her views, most reporters seek an actual legacy; why would she want to morph into an astoundingly temporary political talking-point.
The entire election cycle is a tragic waste of time.
Sierrarose, exactly.
This puts liberals in a real bind. Do you support a Breitbart reporter or Trump? The camapign has become one big reality TV show w/ The Circus, on Showtime, being the first venue to capitalize.
Given the lack of evidence, I am surprised the Jupiter PD is pressing charges.
I think it is much ado about nothing. They are going to have a hard time making the charge stick. She did not know who did and then suddenly she did? Come on!!!
I watched an interview with her, and all she really wanted was an apology. However, when she asked for an apology and they denied it had happened and verbally attacked her she was justifiably upset. She was actually pro-Trump prior to the incident and worked for a pro-Trump organization which did not have her back. She and several other Breitbart reporters quit their jobs over Breitbart’s failure to support their employ. It could have been resolved easily, with an apology, and never had to become a public issue. Too bad the atmosphere in the Trump campaign and among his supporters doesn’t allow for common courtesy.
The youtube Jupiter Police video shows nothing really happened, no one was close to thrown to the ground, the audio reveals barely a change in the vocal tone of her questioning. A bruise is a bruise is a bruise is battery.
I’m with Ralph.
BTW…..the code citation is fine and dandy. But if there are no other clarifying codes, then every member of the Florida NFL teams should be in jail.
Where are the occupational protection and sport provisions?
She’s lucky that’s all that happened during her “insistence.”
How many other reportes have bruised toes and shins? Get in a “scrum” and ya takes ur chances.
To quote Shakespeare: “Much ado about nothing.” Michelle Fields is getting her 15 minutes of fame. The NWO Establishment conspiracy against Trump continues.