Virginia Police arrest "sword-wielding man" for wearing make-up.

[PursuePeace]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/virginia-police-arrest-sword-wielding-man-dressed-joker/story?id=46365754


This guy is a weirdo, but this makes no sense. He wasn't even wearing a mask, he was wearing make-up. Even if he WERE wearing a mask, so what?

Felony? Up to to 5 years in prison?

Guess we can't have anyone fooling all of the facial recognition cameras in Virginia, can we?

Bizarre story.

 

[jmdrake]

Wait a minute. Carrying a sword is legal but wearing a mask is not? So....what does Virginia do every October 31st?

 

[sparebulb]

Great!

Can we expect the Virginia cops to start arresting everyone violating this law?

I didn't think so.

 

[Suzanimal]

 

[Lamp]

That looks SO..........boss!

 

[Suzanimal]

Wait a minute. Carrying a sword is legal but wearing a mask is not? So....what does Virginia do every October 31st?

Arrest the trick-or-treaters and claim their candy as asset forfeiture?

 

[PatriotOne]

I wonder if he's part of the creepy clown thing. Someone should have taken a baseball bat to the guy. That creepy clown thing is terrifying.

 

[ChristianAnarchist]

I wonder if he's part of the creepy clown thing. Someone should have taken a baseball bat to the guy. That creepy clown thing is terrifying.

Sorry but everyone should have the liberty to be as creepy as they want as long as they don't hurt anyone or take property that isn't theirs. I don't recall anything about having a right to not be creeped out...

And 5 years for a mask?? What crazy statist wrote that law?? I hope the courts overturn this nonsense...

 

[PatriotOne]

Sorry but everyone should have the liberty to be as creepy as they want as long as they don't hurt anyone or take property that isn't theirs. I don't recall anything about having a right to not be creeped out...

And 5 years for a mask?? What crazy statist wrote that law?? I hope the courts overturn this nonsense...

The story could obviously use a bit of context. Was there a purpose for his appearance and sword? Was he on his way to a play? A masquerade ball? Making a movie? Or was he purposely trying to terrify people like the "creepy clown" thing. If the later, I say beat him with a baseball bat and run him over for good measures. My right not to be terrorized trumps his right to be creepy.

Are you familiar with the creepy clown thing? Certainly would like to know more of the story though.

 

[ChristianAnarchist]

The story could obviously use a bit of context. Was there a purpose for his appearance and sword? Was he on his way to a play? A masquerade ball? Making a movie? Or was he purposely trying to terrify people like the "creepy clown" thing. If the later, I say beat him with a baseball bat and run him over for good measures. My right not to be terrorized trumps his right to be creepy.

Are you familiar with the creepy clown thing? Certainly would like to know more of the story though.

Yes, I'm familiar with it. I don't believe you have a right to "not be terrorized" if your definition of "terrorized" is being scared by some action that does not do actual harm. If you think dressing up as a creepy clown harms you in some way I would like you to quantify that harm...

That said, if someone punches a "creepy clown" that's a risk the guy takes and he will have to deal with that in whatever manner he seems just.

 

[PursuePeace]

The story could obviously use a bit of context. Was there a purpose for his appearance and sword? Was he on his way to a play? A masquerade ball? Making a movie? Or was he purposely trying to terrify people like the "creepy clown" thing. If the later, I say beat him with a baseball bat and run him over for good measures. My right not to be terrorized trumps his right to be creepy.

Are you familiar with the creepy clown thing? Certainly would like to know more of the story though.

The whole "beat him with a baseball bat and run him over" comment has me a bit uh... flummoxed.
Why so violent?

 

[PatriotOne]

I don't believe you have a right to "not be terrorized" if your definition of "terrorized" is being scared by some action that does not do actual harm.

So your okay with, say, someone brandishing a gun or a sword threatening to kill someone as long as they don't actually kill them? People have a right to terrorize others as long as they don't shoot or cut their heads off with said weapon? Okee dokee.

 

[jmdrake]

Arrest the trick-or-treaters and claim their candy as asset forfeiture?

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Suzanimal again.

 

[jmdrake]

Yes, I'm familiar with it. I don't believe you have a right to "not be terrorized" if your definition of "terrorized" is being scared by some action that does not do actual harm. If you think dressing up as a creepy clown harms you in some way I would like you to quantify that harm...

That said, if someone punches a "creepy clown" that's a risk the guy takes and he will have to deal with that in whatever manner he seems just.

Okay. I assumed PatriotOne was being a little sarcastic (still do), that said yes you have a right to try to scare people and the people who are scared have a right to beat your ass if they feel they are in imminent danger of harmful contact. Putting someone in fear of imminent danger of harmful contact is against the law and it's called assault. Actually making the contact is called battery. And in some cases the "creepy clowns" were running after children. So if a parent thought this clown was about to abduct a kid he would have a natural right of self defense, which includes the right to defend others, to baseball bat Mr. creepy clown.

That doesn't at all seem to apply here. There was no assault charge. There wasn't even a weapons charge. (Not sure about Virginia but in some states openly carrying a knife over 6 inches is illegal....which seems silly since you can do more damage with a gun.) The statute, as written, makes it a crime to wear a mask to conceal your identity. So.....these people would be felons...

 

[jmdrake]

Great!

Can we expect the Virginia cops to start arresting everyone violating this law?

I didn't think so.

I guess if the offender in question had said "I'm part of the church of Joker" he would be okay.

Actually any halfway decent lawyer could get this thrown out.

According to Virginia Code 18.2-422, "It shall be unlawful for any person over 16 years of age, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood, or other device, whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered, so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth, without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing."

Just put the defendant on the stand.

"Q: Sir. What was the reason you wore Joker facepaint?"
"A: I think the Joker is cool. Doesn't everybody?"
"Q: Was your intent to hide your identity?"
"A: Are you freaking kidding me? Of course not. Putting on white facepaint doesn't hide your identity. I look like myself but with white facepaint. And I'm already white without the facepaint."
"Q: Were you carrying identification?"
"A: Yes."
"Q: Did you show it to the police when they asked you for it?"
"A: Yes."
"Q: Would you have shown your ID any store owner or security guard who asked for it?"
"A: Of course."
"Q: No further questions. (to the judge) Your honor I move that this case be dismissed as there is no way the prosecutor will be able to prove what the intent of the defendant was and further I move that the prosecutor be sanctioned for being a dumbass."
"(Judge): Motion granted on both counts."

 

[ChristianAnarchist]

I guess if the offender in question had said "I'm part of the church of Joker" he would be okay.

Actually any halfway decent lawyer could get this thrown out.

According to Virginia Code 18.2-422, "It shall be unlawful for any person over 16 years of age, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood, or other device, whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered, so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth, without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing."

Just put the defendant on the stand.

"Q: Sir. What was the reason you wore Joker facepaint?"
"A: I think the Joker is cool. Doesn't everybody?"
"Q: Was your intent to hide your identity?"
"A: Are you freaking kidding me? Of course not. Putting on white facepaint doesn't hide your identity. I look like myself but with white facepaint. And I'm already white without the facepaint."
"Q: Were you carrying identification?"
"A: Yes."
"Q: Did you show it to the police when they asked you for it?"
"A: Yes."
"Q: Would you have shown your ID any store owner or security guard who asked for it?"
"A: Of course."
"Q: No further questions. (to the judge) Your honor I move that this case be dismissed as there is no way the prosecutor will be able to prove what the intent of the defendant was and further I move that the prosecutor be sanctioned for being a dumbass."
"(Judge): Motion granted on both counts."

I think it also possible to defeat the "conceal identity" part because it certainly should be your right to conceal your identity if that is your desire. You see the rich and famous constantly trying to "conceal" their identity everywhere they go. If one person can do it everyone can do it...

It would be interesting to see how many states have such nonsense. I don't believe many do.

 

[ChristianAnarchist]

So your okay with, say, someone brandishing a gun or a sword threatening to kill someone as long as they don't actually kill them? People have a right to terrorize others as long as they don't shoot or cut their heads off with said weapon? Okee dokee.

I said before that someone might want to punch or otherwise act against someone doing crazy stuff. That's the incentive to not DO crazy stuff. Making a "law" against such action is nutty. Keep the damn goons out of our lives and let "the people" take care of threats. There will by WAY less violence that way (no, not zero)...

Hell, if you CALL the goons because you see someone "brandishing" a gun you are just as likely to get shot by the goons as they come to the scene!!!

 

[PatriotOne]

I said before that someone might want to punch or otherwise act against someone doing crazy stuff. That's the incentive to not DO crazy stuff. Making a "law" against such action is nutty. Keep the damn goons out of our lives and let "the people" take care of threats. There will by WAY less violence that way (no, not zero)...

Hell, if you CALL the goons because you see someone "brandishing" a gun you are just as likely to get shot by the goons as they come to the scene!!!

Okay. I'll pass your good advice on to my 14 yr old granddaughter. If you see someone threatening you with a sword while you walk to school just go kick em in the balls. Whatever you do...DO NOT CALL THE POLICE....because they will shoot you.

Your an idiot.

 

[osan]

According to Virginia Code 18.2-422, "It shall be unlawful for any person over 16 years of age, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood, or other device, whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered, so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth, without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing."

What the foig?

Is this even serious?

Virginia just made the black states list.

 

[phill4paul]

Okay. I'll pass your good advice on to my 14 yr old granddaughter. If you see someone threatening you with a sword while you walk to school just go kick em in the balls. Whatever you do...DO NOT CALL THE POLICE....because they will shoot you.

Your an idiot.

*You're*