Reply #24: "Assault" does not necessarily mean physical assault [View All]

[LizW]

Interesting that no details are given about the Christians injuries, if any. The legal definition of assault can also include a threat to do someone harm, coupled with the present apparent ability to carry out the threat.

This story sets off my BS meter. If the picketing Christians were actually physically battered, I would think this publication would make a point of saying so. Instead, they use a legal term that can mean one thing to a lay person, but another thing in its legal context. It is possible the Christians were not touched at all, but that the man from the car yelled threats at them.

I'm not excusing the behavior of the man from the car either way, but the story just doesn't pass the smell test for me.