And I will clarify that the judge made pretty clear that the whole ‘disorderly’ charge stemmed from the fact police arrested him under disorderly conduct BECAUSE he was armed. Being armed WAS the disorderly conduct. So they were saying he was guilty of disorderly conduct (i.e. being armed), while armed. The fact he was armed was the basis for the disorderly conduct charge, according to the arresting officers.
Which is why is was right for the judge to say not guilty, otherwise EVERYONE who open carries is automatically guilty of disorderly conduct because they are armed.
“Which is why is was right for the judge to say not guilty, otherwise EVERYONE who open carries is automatically guilty of disorderly conduct because they are armed.”
Which to me makes it an open and shut case. That would seem to make all the mental gymnastics to avoid being overturned unnecessary. But WTH do I know about being a judge.
If the neighbor wasn't alarmed by the man's having a weapon on his hip, it seems that any breach of the peace was caused entirely by the police themselves. Perhaps some of them need to be prosecuted for disorderly conduct (in addition to assault, etc.)