VIDEO: Dem Rep. Etheridge Apologizes For "Unacceptable" Actions

RealClearPolitics ^ | June 14, 2010 | RealClearPolitics

[ExTexasRedhead]

Another telling moment that will not go away.

Carley for CA Senator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpU_BYI9d24

[pyx]

I am not a lawyer as I stated clearly above.

Why do you believe this is not an assault and then the Congressman grabbing the device from the student is not a robbery ?

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

When a dem apologizes, it’s over. When a Republican apologizes, it just begins - the 24/7 news coverage, the condemnations, the demands to resign.

[Sopater]

Although I do beleive that the video clearly shows that the congressman took the camera away from the student, it appears that it was somehow returned since this video was obviously taken off of that phone. However, even if the "thief" returned the phone, it doesn't mean that he didn't steal it. He forcibly removed it from the student's hand and proceeded to walk off with it. I don't know how the student got the camera back since that is not recorded in the video, but it seems obvious to me that he did.

[Nonstatist]

He should be prosecuted. I hope the “victim” doesent wimp out on this. He deserves damages, IMO.

[pyx]

No doubt you’re correct about the student getting the second camera back. However, whacking the camera and then forcefully grabbing the student’s wrist (and refusing the first request to let go) and then grabbing the back of the student’s neck would seem to me to be an assault. Congressional representatives can not assault people with impunity.

[Sopater]

Assault and Battery and perhaps felony theft.

[JSteff]

Same thing, just not as polite...

[pyx]

I would put my conclusion down to a belief that I presumed that battery had to have a higher threshold than forcefully grabbing someone's wrist or grabbing the back of someone's neck. Like I said, I'm not a lawyer but, this seems to be an assault at least and perhaps assault and battery.

[Sopater]

I would put my conclusion down to a belief that I presumed that battery had to have a higher threshold than forcefully grabbing someone's wrist or grabbing the back of someone's neck.

According to the link, "The main distinction between the two offenses is the existence or nonexistence of a touching or contact. While contact is an essential element of battery, there must be an absence of contact for assault. Sometimes assault is defined loosely to include battery."

Therefore, battery actually sounds like the correct charge.

[cranked]

Was me, four words for idiot Etheridge: Speak to my lawyer.

[airedale]

Not really it was taken off a different phone or camera. Before the Congressman grabs it you can see it in the kids hand. That means that wasn’t the camera taking the pictures. I can’t tell if what the kid is holding is a cell phone camera, small hand held compact camera or a digital voice recorder (looks like a digital voice recorder to me). That’s what was taken. He does swat at the other camera which is when the film gets jostled.

[airedale]

You’re right.