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Court records claim 28-year-old McNeil was seen on surveillance video buying paint from a Home Depot and shoving a police officer during the July 9, 2020 protest.
Court records claim 28-year-old McNeil was seen on surveillance video buying paint from a Home Depot and shoving a police officer during the July 9, 2020 protest.
The felony criminal mischief charges are more serious because they carry a gang enhancement. Prosecutors said Wednesday that's justified because the protesters worked together to cause thousands of dollars in damage, but watchdogs called the use of the 1990s-era law troubling, especially in the context of criminal justice reform and minority communities.
"This is so far beyond just the enforcement of the law, it feels retaliatory," said Madalena McNeil, who is facing a potential life sentence over felony criminal mischief and riot charges. Charging documents say she bought red paint at a Home Depot before the July 9 demonstration sparked by a fatal police shooting ruling. She later yelled at and shifted her weight as if to slam into police during the demonstration, charges state. "It's really frustrating and scary ... I just feel so much concern for what this means for the right to protest in general."
Comment: The so-called leaders on the left bear particular responsibility in feeding the extremes on both sides, as they demonstrate no interest in applying any breaks to social chaos. Instead, they feed it. A little rationality and accountability on their part would make a world of difference, but it's clear they've become puppets of much darker forces at play.