Man Charged With Assault For Sucker-Punching Black Protester At Trump Rally

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This post has been updated.

John McGraw, 78, was arrested and charged Thursday with assault and battery and disorderly conduct after he allegedly punched a black protester at Donald Trump’s rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, according to local TV station WRAL.

McGraw was caught on video apparently sucker-punching Rakeem Jones as Jones was being escorted out of the rally by officers with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Jones was walking up the stairs when McGraw walked up to the aisle and allegedly punched him.

Jones then appeared to be restrained on the ground by authorities when he reached the top of the stairs. While some reports said the officers handcuffed him, Jones later told WRAL that “they didn’t handcuff me. They escorted me.”

A magistrate set McGraw’s bail at $2,500 on Thursday, according to WRAL. His next court appearance was scheduled for Apr. 6.

The officers’ response to the situation was also being investigated by the sheriff’s Internal Affairs Department, according to the Wall Street Journal.

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Notable Replies

  1. Don’t hold your breath waiting to see if this piece of Trump-loving scum is actually prosecuted.

  2. Avatar for xyxox xyxox says:

    If it was a black man punching a white man, he’d be locked up with no bail. This guy will probably get off, though.

  3. Remember folks, Trump has promised to pay any legal fees generated from assaulting protesters. That fact seems to have fallen through the media worm-hole.

    Let’s see if Trump is asked about that?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3fKpztpTY0
  4. Good call.

  5. America should be proud of Trump’s campaign. His supporters have evolved. What used to be a lynching is now merely simple assault.

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