Deli item launched by protester allegedly exploded and created yellow spot on customs official, trial told
A American border officer has stated under oath he could sense through his body armor the force of a deli item thrown at him by a capital city activist, who has faced court proceedings for physical attack.
Immigration and customs agent Gregory Lairmore told the legal jury the food item "shattered all over him" and he "could smell the onions and condiment" on his uniform.
Both legal teams disputes that the defendant, thirty-seven, did in fact throw profanities and a prepared food item at officers deployed by the administration to patrol the Washington DC in August.
The incident was captured on video and went viral, making the accused a symbol of dissent in Washington DC to the administration.
Government prosecutors originally tried to secure serious criminal counts against the accused, but a grand jury declined to charge him.
The administration's deployment of armed forces to the federal district this summer caused outrage from some of the city's residents, who viewed it as a political use of the armed forces.
Based on charging documents, the accused approached a group of officers at about late evening on August 10, describing them "authoritarians" and exclaiming: "Why are you present? I don't want you in my city!"
The trial observed a reenactment from the officer on the court date as he gave evidence against Mr Dunn.
"I detected it through my protective gear," he stated of the food's collision, noting that an onion string hung from his communication device and sauce marked his uniform.
The defendant's attorney, his legal representative, said in her court presentation that hurling the deli product was a "innocent action that did not, could not, cause injury".
But prosecutor John Parron argued the defendant must be considered responsible.
"Whatever your status, you should not launching items at people because you're mad," Mr Parron declared.
Subsequent to the reported incident was revealed, the accused was fired from his employment as a law firm employee in the Department of Justice.