Greg Gianforte cited for 'body slamming' reporter on eve of election

[neverforget]

Source: The Billings Gazette

U.S. House candidate Greg Gianforte has been cited for assaulting a reporter from the Guardian at the Republican's campaign headquarters in Bozeman.

Gianforte was cited for misdemeanor assault, according to the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office.

In a recording of the incident, Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs said he was "body-slammed" by Gianforte and wanted to call police.

A Fox News TV crew in the room reported seeing Gianforte grab Jacobs by the neck and slam him to the ground.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/greg-gianforte-cited-for-body-slamming-reporter-on-eve-of/article_3a6bf896-6c25-5dd9-a4b8-d7e097a950e4.html

[bettyellen]

1. Why is it "cited" and not arrested?

[juxtaposed]

3. b/c he's a millionaire

[elmac]

4. If a fascist assaults a person in Montana

it seems that its only a misdemeanor. If you or I did it we would go straight to jail.

[bettyellen]

5. I've literally never heard "cited" except for someone given a ticket .

Isn't it an assault CHARGE? Grrrrrr.

[zoidaloid]

12. We're all mistaking Assault for Battery!

Battery is actually what happened. Assault involve little or no touching. This idiot battered the reporter and should have been arrested. Friends in hi places, like the local sheriff's station.

[niyad]

24. welcome to du

[Bengus81]

23. Sherriff donated $250 to his election.

Sheriff Gootkin said four witnesses are being interviewed, in addition to Jacobs, in relation to the incident. He said authorities are not releasing the identities of the other witnesses at this time.

A filing from the Federal Election Commission indicates Gootkin donated $250 to Gianforte's campaign in March. Gootkin confirmed the donation, but said it had no bearing on the investigation into Wednesday night's altercation.

[niyad]

25. oh, yeah, sheriff, we believe you.

[7wo7rees]

6. Dupe. Different source, but already reported. nt

[davsand]

7. Not surprised it's a misdemeanor. Sheriff is a contributor to Gianforte.

https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Gootkin&cycle=&state=MT&zip=&employ=&cand=

[progressoid]

8. Pish posh. It was just a little friendly body slamming.

[ananda]

10. So the sheriff is corrupt too.

Will our justice system ever get fixed?

[KPN]

9. Let's hope this doesn't actually work to Gianforte's favor.

It did occur to me that we might get another huge surprise with this one. That would really piss me off. Montana'ns are better than that, no?

[Rhiannon12866]

11. NPR Update: On Eve Of Election, Montana GOP Candidate Charged With Assault On Reporter

Updated on May 25th at 1:09 a.m. ET

The Montana special congressional race was roiled on the eve of Thursday's vote after GOP nominee Greg Gianforte allegedly "body slammed" a reporter and was subsequently cited by local authorities.

The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office announced they were charging Gianforte with misdemeanor assault:

Following multiple interviews and an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault (MCA 45-5-201). The nature of the injuries did not meet the statutory elements of felony assault. Greg Gianforte received a citation on Wednesday night and is scheduled to appear in Gallatin County Justice Court between now and June 7, 2017.

More: http://www.npr.org/2017/05/24/529862697/republican-s-altercation-with-reporter-shakes-up-montana-race-on-eve-of-voting

[nitpicker]

13. Link to The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/24/greg-gianforte-bodyslams-reporter-ben-jacobs-montana

[Scarsdale]

14. How to win friends

and influence people, gop style. He sounds like a nice guy, eh?

[Fritz Walter]

15. Pence's RoboCall says it all

A Politico article published on Tuesday opened with this lede: "HELENA, Mont. — Vice President Mike Pence is wading back into the special election for Montana’s at-large House seat with a new robocall urging voters to support Republican Greg Gianforte this week."

Here the transcript of Pence's recording:

“Hello, this is Vice President Mike Pence, calling to say there is an important special election being waged right now for Montana’s open congressional seat. Greg Gianforte is running to be your next congressman and President Trump and I need Greg working with us in Washington to cut your taxes, secure our borders, and protect your Second Amendment rights."

Who knew?

[JTFrog]

20. Hmmm, those with Russian connections certainly remain tight, don't they? nt

[leftynyc]

16. While it was nice the

local papers (3 of them) pulled their endorsement from this disgusting excuse of a human, I'm not convinced this sort of thing will not help him. This is a state degenerate donnie won by 20 points. Knocking around the press could be applauded.

[raccoon]

17. Typical brown shirt Trumpian Republican behavior. Wonder if Greg has

stopped beating his wife?

[Stuart G]

18. k and r

[Blue_Tires]

19. This bullshit is only going to get him MORE votes, isn't it?

I mean nothing surprises me anymore...

[bucolic_frolic]

22. Yes, it was a 'rally the troops' move

WWF meets progressive media

He sure knows how to grab headlines

[bucolic_frolic]

21. Body slamming is the new normal, culture war grows teeth

be aware, people, at all times, of your surroundings