Sandwich hurled by activist supposedly exploded and left condiment mark on customs official, court hears
A federal customs official has stated under oath he could feel through his body armor the impact of a sandwich launched at him by a Washington DC protester, who has stood before a judge for assault.
Customs and Border Patrol agent the officer informed the jury the snack "exploded all over him" and he "could smell the vegetables and yellow sauce" on his official attire.
Both legal teams challenges that the defendant, in his thirties, did in fact lob vulgar language and a deli-style sandwich at officers sent by the administration to patrol the nation's capital in late summer.
The occurrence was filmed on video and went viral, making the accused a symbol of dissent in the federal district to the administration.
Federal attorneys originally tried to achieve serious criminal counts against Mr Dunn, but a grand jury chose not to prosecute him.
The administration's deployment of military personnel to Washington DC this summer sparked outrage from some of the local inhabitants, who considered it a politicisation of the troops.
Based on charging documents, the defendant walked up to a law enforcement team at about 11 PM on 10 August, referring to them "extremists" and shouting: "Why are you here? You are not welcome in my city!"
The trial witnessed a demonstration from Mr Lairmore on the trial day as he testified against Mr Dunn.
"I could feel it through my ballistic vest," he stated of the sandwich's impact, mentioning that an aromatic fragment hung from his communication device and condiment marked his clothing.
The accused's lawyer, Julia Gatto, argued in her court presentation that launching the deli product was a "non-threatening act that did not, could not, result in harm".
But state lawyer John Parron said the defendant must be facing consequences.
"No matter who you are, you can't just go around hurling objects at others because you're upset," the attorney stated.
After the reported incident became public, the accused was fired from his job as a legal assistant in the government law department.