Earlier this month, nine individuals were charged with trespassing in relation to the June 28th incident outside Mark and Patricia McCloskey’s home in St. Louis’ Central West End.

As readers will recall, a group of several hundred protesters entered Portland Place (a private street) and marched past the McCloskey’s residence on a Sunday evening, ostensibly on the way to Mayor Lyda Krewson’s home. (Side note, Krewson does not reside on Portland Place, nor can her home be directly accessed from it. Not only is Portland gated at its east and west end, but Lake, the cross street that leads to the Mayor’s house, is also gated and blocked off to the north.) At some point during the incident, a wrought-iron gate at the east end of the street was broken.

The McCloskeys responded by coming out onto their lawn and front walk, displaying weapons (him, an AR-15, her, a handgun). Subsequently, they were each charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon (a Class E felony).

Summonses for trespassing were issued to nine of the protesters earlier in September. As noted above, the street where the McCloskeys reside is private — and gated. However, other residents of the street/neighborhood do not support the prosecution of the protesters. Per the Post Dispatch:

The nine had been issued police summonses earlier this month, but City Counselor Michael Garvin said in a statement that “prosecution is not warranted” and charges would be refused.

Garvin wrote that the cases had been investigated by municipal court prosecutors, who reviewed video of the June incident, conducted interviews and examined property records of the street, Portland Place. He also said residents who are trustees of Portland Place made clear through their lawyer that they did not want to pursue trespassing charges.