Missouri Clergy Guilty of Trespassing in Capitol Protest

[TexasTowelie]

Twenty-two Missouri clergy members could face up to six months behind bars after being convicted Wednesday on trespassing charges and acquitted of other counts in connection with a peaceful 2014 protest over Medicaid expansion at the state Capitol.

Jurors found the clergy guilty of first-degree trespassing, a misdemeanor, but not guilty of charges of disrupting government operations.

Sentencing is set for Thursday. They also face fines of as much as $500 each.

Several of the defendants who were wearing religious garments cried in the Cole County courtroom when the judge announced the not guilty verdict. They sat quietly when the trespassing verdicts were read.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/missouri-clergy-guilty-trespassing-capitol-protest-41476389

[Sherman A1]

1. There go those rights to peaceful protest and

peacefully assembly and the rights to redress one's grievances with the government.