Speech by the couple who pointed guns at protesters 1:24
Washington (CNN) -
Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced pardons Tuesday for Patricia and Mark McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who pointed guns at protesters near their home last summer.
The pair, who pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanor charges stemming from the incident, are among 12 pardons Parson granted last week, the governor's office said in a statement.
(Credit: Lawrence Bryant / Reuters)
The McCloskeys attracted national attention in June 2020 after they were seen on video brandishing weapons outside their mansion and pointing them at protesters, who were walking down a private street toward the home of the St. Louis mayor.
In videos posted on social media, Mark McCloskey is seen holding a long rifle and Patricia McCloskey a pistol as protesters, protesting then-Mayor Lyda Krewson's decision to post the names and addresses of people in favor of the police reform, they walked in front of his house.
Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to assault in the fourth degree and faced a fine of US $ 750, while Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to stalking in the second degree and faced a fine of US $ 2,000, according to court documents.
As part of the plea deal, the couple agreed to surrender their pistol and semi-automatic rifle, according to the documents.
Mark McCloskey told CNN last July that he was "imminent fear that (the protesters) will walk over me, that they will kill me."
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But the incident has driven the McCloskeys into national Republican politics.
Mark McCloskey used his notoriety for the 2020 incident to promote a bid for the U.S. Senate, and images of him brandishing a long rifle in front of his St. Louis mansion feature prominently on his campaign website. and on social media.
He is running for the Senate seat currently held by Roy Blunt, who announced that he would not seek reelection next year.
CNN's Mallika Kallingal contributed to this report.
Missouri