Charges dropped for 3 people accused of toppling Confederate monument in Durham

[bathroommonkey76]

Source: WRAL

DURHAM, N.C. — Charges for three people who are accused of toppling a Confederate monument in downtown Durham have been dropped, according to their defense attorney. 10

According to defense attorney Scott Holmes, charges were dropped against Aaron Alexander Caldwell, Myles Spigner and Taylor Cook, siting that probable cause exists, but there was not enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

On Aug. 14, a group of protesters tore the statue of a Confederate soldier down after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., ended with one woman dead and almost two dozen injured.

The events in Charlottesville sparked rallies around the country in support of counter-protesters.

Read more: http://www.wral.com/charges-dropped-for-3-people-accused-of-toppling-confederate-monument-in-durham/17102650/

[lagomorph777]

1. Good.

[Princess Turandot]

2. That's good news. But, they arrested 12 people..

The person who climbed up and put a rope around the statue was a young woman named Takiyah Thompson.

Six of the nine who are still charged with misdemeanors and felonies related to the toppling are expected to appear in Durham County District Court Tuesday. The charges include felony inciting a riot to cause property damage in excess of $1,500 and misdemeanor damage to real property.

....There has been a debate among some city and county elected officials about the statue’s value and whether those involved in the toppling should be charged with a felony.

....In October, the Durham County Board of Commissioners sent a letter to Echols outlying the statue’s value, but also stating it has “no moral value.”

....“Many people feel that the statue has been a harsh reminder of racial discrimination, oppression, pain and suffering. We understand some people in our community feel that the statue has historical, cultural or personal value to them and we also recognize that to many people in our community, the statue has little or even negative value,” the letter states. “Since the statue stood in a place of prominence on public property, its value should include consideration of the overall public good. Given the concern and controversy described above, the statue has no moral value for our community.”

http://www.heraldsun.com/news/local/counties/durham-county/article183661686.html