PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A judge in Oregon has granted a motion to acquit Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson and associate Russell Schultz on felony riot charges. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Souede said Tuesday no reasonable jury could find their behavior at a 2019 street confrontation “threatened an imminent breach of the peace.” Souede also rebuked the district attorney’s office for pursuing a jury trial on the evidence presented. Schultz, Gibson and their associate Mackenzie Lewis each faced a riot charge for their roles in political violence in May 2019 at a Portland bar. The trial for Lewis will proceed. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt declined to comment.
Judge acquits Patriot Prayer founder, 1 other, in riot trial
