Jared Marcum, the 14-year-old from Logan County, West Virginia, was arrested nearly two and a half months ago on charges related to his refusal to turn an NRA T-shirt inside out at school.
The first amendment case ran into stubborn school officials who involved the the local “resource” police officer in the school after the teen’s refusal to submit to their unlawful demand. The cop arrested the young man on charges of obstruction of justice and disturbing the education process.
A little over a week ago, we urged our readers to contact the Logan County State’s Attorney. Those calls failed, but the judge in the case stepped in and dismissed the charges Friday.
With the dismissal of the charges, Marcum will still become more familiar with not only his local courthouse, but probably a nearby federal courthouse as well. The family intends on filing suit against those involved in the case: The school officials, the school district and probably the arresting officer and his supervisor as well.
Unfortunately for all of the above, there’s this section of the U.S. Code, 1983, that deals with damages for the deprivation of civil rights under color of authority.
Jared Marcum is going to be a wealthy man before he starts college.
Criminal charge against 8th grade student arrested after NRA T-shirt confrontation dropped
WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports
Jared Marcum’s mother, Tanya Lardieri, was overcome with emotion after signing a dismissal order and cementing the fact that the criminal charges against her 14-year-old son, Jared Marcum, have been withdrawn.“It should have come sooner but it’s done and we don’t have to have that concern anymore about him having a criminal record” Jared’s father Allen Lardieri tells WOWK. “I’m just glad that it’s over. His mother is glad it’s over.”
Jared’s attorney Ben White calls this a win for common sense. White says he’s heard too many stories of children being penalized for seemingly harmless behavior, just because each of these incidents included gun imagery of one sort or another.
Use the legal system as a flame thrower to cleanse these GULAG operators out of imprinting their “FEELINGS” on defenseless minds.
Congrats to Jared! I think it sad that a 14 year old needs to be the one standing up for everyone’s rights but then I see a faint glimmer of hope for the future. I hope we can stay updated on the law suits. I hope he get awarded a ton of money! BTW, I never saw where the NRA said one word about this. Anyone know if they ever did?
I thought the NRA gave him a life membership. I could be wrong.