Indianapolis News and HeadlinesAmerica in Crisis

Actions

Hawley seeks civil rights probe in case of St. Louis couple

Hawley seeks civil rights probe in case of St. Louis couple
Posted at 1:44 PM, Jul 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-16 13:44:08-04

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is urging Attorney General William Barr to launch a federal civil rights investigation of St. Louis' elected prosecutor.

Hawley is accusing Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner of abusing her power in her investigation of a white couple who wielded guns while defending their home during a protest.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey are being investigated by Gardner's office for the June 28 confrontation when several hundred protesters marched by their $1.15 million mansion.

The couple said the marchers knocked down an iron gate marked with "No Trespassing" and "Private Street" signs.

They emerged with weapons — him with a long-barreled gun, her with a small handgun.