Another Repug Arrested For Wife Beating

[Pierre.Suave]

http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061113/NEWS01/111130073


ELK RIVER — Rep. Mark Olson was arrested Sunday and is in Sherburne County Jail, facing charges of domestic abuse, said Scott Gudmanson, chief deputy of the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department.

Sherburne County authorities were called to the Big Lake Township home Olson shares with his wife, Heidi, at 29945 Sherburne County Road 43 about 5 p.m. Sunday, Gudmanson said. Sherburne County asked Blaine Police Department to arrest Olson at a residence in Blaine, he said.

Olson was arrested on allegations of domestic abuse. he will remain in jail until he appears before a judge, Gudmanson said. That could happen any time between now and noon Tuesday.

Gudmanson said the alleged victim is Olson’s wife. He would not provide additional details about the events that led to Olson’s arrest. He said the sheriff’s department had not been called to that address before.

Olson, 51, was elected to an eighth term Tuesday to represent District 16B, which includes Big Lake, Clear Lake, Zimmerman, Becker and part of Elk River. Olson was the Republican chairman last session of the Local Government committee, a position he will lose when Democrats take control of the House in January.

He defeated Democrat Jim Huhtala on Tuesday.

[williesgirl]

1. They sure are mean, power-drunk bastards, aren't they - recommended

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. What kind of sick behavior must go on in there homes, when they're

capable of abusing their public positions. Why should we expect them to be better?

[gfnrob]

2. I used to live in Big Lake, I know this guy,Real prick.

[LilyLibber]

3. The parade of Repug "morals and values" continues.

Sick. :puke:

[Mabus]

4. I guess he won't be voting on the minority leadership positions

:shrug:

[gfnrob]

6. He's in the MN state house.

[Mabus]

11. Oh! My mistake.

:blush:

Sometimes I have trouble teliing where these stories come from much less who these people are and what their history is. I went to the link and found out that it was a Minnesota source but I misunderstood what level of government he was elected to.

[PrimeRibGuy]

5. Nice to see my hometown of ER represented

in the LBN forum!

Dont know the guy, sounds like a pretty good guy though!

[Straight Shooter]

7. He sounds like a pretty good guy?

Huh?

[PrimeRibGuy]

9. It was a joke

[gfnrob]

12. Welcome to DU try the .....

:sarcasm: icon.

[PrimeRibGuy]

16. Didnt really think I needed it, but oh well

Thanks for the welcome

[gfnrob]

19. Yes I know, but what can you do.

:hippie: :hi: :thumbsup:

[Straight Shooter]

21. Yes, you need the *sarcasm* added.

Lots of trolls on DU who like to stir up stuff.

Notice I didn't accuse you of being a troll, I wondered if you had made a typo or something.

[mcscajun]

8. jasonc -- please edit your title

to the title of the article: Legislator Mark Olson arrested

4. When posting articles, always use the published title of the article as the title of the discussion thread. Additional information may be included in a thread title (in parentheses) if it helps to make the title more clear.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x87249

Thank you.

[Pierre.Suave]

23. I cant

editing time has expired.

[xchrom]

10. more republick party family values in action.

and justly rewarded.

[Infomaniac]

14. You betcha. Another "family values" republicon.

Does a DV conviction, if a felony, preclude him from serving?

[gfnrob]

15. A bite-o the apple, aye.

;-) :hi:

[KansDem]

17. Wow! Last Tuesday's results really hit these guys hard!

So they turn on their wives with equally hard hits...very sad :(

[Maraya1969]

18. Does this mean we get another Dem representative in Congress?

[gfnrob]

20. MN State House.

[Beth in VT]

22. He co-authored a bill on marriage.

From the House of Reps. website:


"House File 1571 gives couples in Minnesota the opportunity to enter into a "covenant marriage," under which they voluntarily agree to (1) receive premarital counseling; (2) take all reasonable efforts preserve the marriage when difficulties arise; and (3) obtain a divorce only under the most serious grounds of adultery, felony criminal action, abandonment, physical or sexual abuse, or a lengthy separation without reconciliation.


"A healthy union of marriage is the most important foundational building block of our society," said Rep. Olson. "That foundation has crumbled to the point where nearly half of all new marriages now end in divorce in America. The strength of a nation lies within the strength of its families. We must take marriage more seriously."


"Minnesota's current "no-fault" divorce laws, which allow a couple to terminate their marriage in divorce for any reason at any time, bear much of the responsibility for trivializing the marriage commitment, said Rep. Olson. "Most Minnesotans agree that it is too easy to get a divorce in this state and that our no-fault laws need significant reform," he said. "A covenant marriage is an option available to couples who wish to commit to each other that they are very serious about taking every reasonable step to ensure their marriage's success, with a law to back it up."

[Pierre.Suave]

24. The Saint Cloud Times

has amended their story. I have pasted it below.

ELK RIVER — Rep. Mark Olson was arrested Sunday and is in Sherburne County Jail, facing charges of domestic abuse, said Scott Gudmundson, chief deputy of the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department.

Sherburne County authorities were called to the Big Lake Township home Olson shares with his wife, Heidi, at 20945 Sherburne County Road 43 about 5 p.m. Sunday, Gudmundson said. Sherburne County asked Blaine Police Department to arrest Olson.

He was arrested at 7:45 p.m. at Calvin Christian School, 8966 Pierce St. NE, according to Blaine Police Chief Dave Johnson. He was handcuffed and transferred to Sherburne County without incident, Johnson said.

Olson was arrested on allegations of fifth-degree domestic assault. He will remain in jail until he appears before a judge, Gudmundson said. That could happen any time between now and noon Tuesday.

Gudmundson said the alleged victim is Olson’s wife. He would not provide additional details about the events that led to Olson’s arrest. He said the sheriff’s department had not been called to that address before.

Olson, 51, was elected to an eighth term Tuesday to represent District 16B, which includes Big Lake, Clear Lake, Zimmerman, Becker and part of Elk River. Olson was the Republican chairman last session of the Local Government committee, a position he will lose when Democrats take control of the House in January.

He defeated Democrat Jim Huhtala on Tuesday.

[Cerridwen]

25. For others who didn't know what "fifth degree domestic assault" entails

Assault in the first degree (Felony). When a victim sustains "great bodily harm" as the result of an assault. This means when bodily injury creates a high probability of death or causes serious permanent disfigurement or loss or impairment of a bodily member or organ.

Assault in the second degree (Felony). When a victim sustains harm or is subjected to the potential for harm through the suspect's use of a dangerous weapon (firearms, knives, or an object which can be construed as a dangerous weapon).

Assault in the third degree (Felony). When a victim sustains "substantial bodily harm" as the result of an assault. This means when bodily injury results in temporary but substantial disfigurement or impairment of a bodily member or organ.

Assault in the fourth degree (Felony). This level of assault is for law enforcement personnel who are victims of an assault while on duty or for bias motivated crimes.

Assault in the fifth degree (Misdemeanor). There are two parts to this level of assault that constitute fifth degree: when a victim sustains or the suspect attempted to inflict "bodily harm" which is defined as physical pain or injury not covered by the other levels of injury defined above, or when the suspect commits an act with the attempt to cause fear in the victim. Under this statute, the victim does not actually have to be assaulted but only be in fear of being assaulted for law enforcement to take action against the suspect. (emphasis mine)

Under this statute, misdemeanor assaults can be enhanced to the gross misdemeanor or felony level if the suspect has previous convictions for assault.

link

[IronLionZion]

26. It's the Dems' fault

for winning both houses of the Minnesota state legislature! It depressed him so much he had to beat his poor wife. I hope she voted for his opponent. Poor lady...

[Anakin Skywalker]

27. Republican Family Values. 'Nuff Said.

[Pierre.Suave]

28. KMSP

the local FOX affiliate in the Twin Cities is reporting Rep Olson was disciplined about 9 years ago in the MN House for verbally abusing an asssistant and throwing a computer at her.

I looked for that on their website, but all they had was the same as the above, they mentioned it on the air during the nightly news.