I haven't gone through the docket yet, but I was wondering how a "misunderstanding" results in felony assault of an officer?

I'll take a look at the law enforcement version when I get a chance tonight. I was just curious about the other side (Long Hair David's) of the story.

EDIT: Well, I completely misunderstood that one. I was thinking the website would allow me to view the actual report.

Essentially, the officers entered the park after seeing a "cherry" fall from a sage bundle to the ground. They mistakenly assumed this was a lit cigarette being dropped onto the ground and approached David for littering. When they accused David, he denied the accusation... rather than re-evaluate the situation (Sage bundle in hand, no cigarette on the ground where the cherry fell, etc), the officers pressed the accusation. David asked what they planned to so about it. The lead officer said "I'm going to cite you." David heard "I'm going to fight you." At this point, three men in police uniforms were surrounding David, who stands about 5'6" or a little less. Mike Dahl, the lead officer, easily stands 6' tall and has a bodybuilder physique. The other two are not quite as large, but are each bigger than David. David reportedly approached Dahl, though two eyewitnesses dispute this. All agree that the first contact was on Dahl's initiative - a "stop kick" or hard shove, which sent David flying backwards onto the ground. This is all going to heard in court, unless the charges are dropped, and the facts will be weighed by the competent authorities at that time. The police and witness reports are in my possession, I can easily scan them and post them tomorrow, but I do not have the time to do so today. I might add that the three reports from the officers do not match each other on key points. The eyewitnesses I interviewed match each other much better, in my opinion. They also support David's version of events. Keep in mind that I might delay doing so if the attorney objects, as is likely.

So what happend?

I thought that story had already been told here, but the search functions have not paid off for me.

Essentially, he got a real attorney and $320 in court costs and fines, with 2 months of community service (I forget the hours requirement). The Sitting Duck carried the story, and I know I wrote it up, but it is late. Very late. And I have miles to go before I sleep.

I have not checked in with David to see what has become of his court ordered service work. I should, but I simply have not seen him around the block.