Sandwich thrown by protester supposedly burst and caused mustard stain on customs official, court hears
A US immigration agent has testified he could feel through his ballistic vest the collision of a deli item thrown at him by a DC demonstrator, who has stood before a judge for criminal charge.
Immigration and customs agent Gregory Lairmore told the jury the snack "shattered all over him" and he "noticed the aromatic vegetables and mustard" on his work clothing.
Neither side challenges that the accused, 37, did in fact lob profanities and a prepared food item at authorities assigned by President Donald Trump to secure the Washington DC in the summer month.
The event was filmed on recording and spread across the internet, making the accused a symbol of opposition in the capital to the administration.
Government prosecutors initially tried to secure felony charges against Mr Dunn, but a judicial committee refused to prosecute him.
The former president's deployment of National Guard troops to the capital this season caused outrage from some of the local inhabitants, who considered it a politicisation of the military.
Per charging documents, Mr Dunn approached a group of officers at about late evening on August 10, describing them "authoritarians" and exclaiming: "What is your purpose? You are not welcome in my city!"
The legal proceeding saw a re-enactment from the agent on the court date as he gave evidence against the defendant.
"I sensed it through my protective gear," he stated of the food's collision, mentioning that an onion string hung from his communication device and sauce stained his shirt.
The defendant's legal counsel, Julia Gatto, argued in her opening statement that hurling the sandwich was a "innocent action that did not, could not, create physical damage".
But prosecutor John Parron maintained the accused must be held accountable.
"No matter who you are, you can't just go around throwing stuff at individuals because you're upset," the attorney stated.
After the reported incident was revealed, the accused was fired from his job as a law firm employee in the government law department.
