A man who drove his car into a crowd of racial injustice protesters in Iowa City last August will not serve prison time after pleading guilty, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Michael, 45, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of willful injury causing bodily injury. The Tribune reports that he told police the crowd needed “an attitude adjustment.” His lawyer said Michael was influenced by social media and “political rhetoric characterizing the protesters as dangerous criminals,” and that he now understands how his conduct could have led to a much more serious outcome.
Under the deal reported by the Tribune, the judgment was deferred. If Michael stays out of trouble during three years of probation, the charge will be dismissed and expunged. The judge also deferred a $1,025 civil fine.
The outcome has drawn criticism. The Tribune reports that it adds to accusations of a double standard against the Johnson County Attorney’s Office, which is still pursuing charges against protesters from last summer, including 15 counts, nine of them felonies, against a protest leader accused of shining a laser into officers’ eyes in August.
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