Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein briefly faced an arrest warrant Monday after she failed to appear for a court hearing connected to misdemeanor charges stemming from a 2024 protest at Washington University in St. Louis.
The warrant was issued by St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Karma Johnson after neither Stein nor her attorney appeared for the scheduled hearing. The case involves charges of assault and trespassing related to Stein’s arrest during a protest on the university’s Danforth Campus in April 2024.
More than 100 people were arrested as police moved to clear the protest, which was held amid demonstrations over the war in Gaza. Stein and one other person were ultimately charged in connection with alleged conduct during the protest. Stein faces misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree assault and first-degree trespassing.
According to court allegations, Stein is accused of assaulting a Washington University police officer during the confrontation. Stein has disputed the allegations and previously maintained that she did not assault police.
The case began in St. Louis County Circuit Court but was later transferred to St. Louis city court after officials determined that the alleged assault occurred on a portion of the university campus located within the city. St. Louis County prosecutors continue to handle the case.
Warrant Later Withdrawn
The arrest warrant did not remain in effect for long.
Stein’s attorney, Joseph Welsh, appeared before Judge Johnson later Monday and asked the court to quash the warrant. Johnson granted the request and withdrew the warrant several hours after it was issued.
The judge then continued the case until September 14, when Stein and the other parties are expected to appear in person. The court order warns that another warrant will be issued if Stein fails to appear at that hearing.
The development adds another chapter to a case that began more than two years ago during a highly contentious period of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. college campuses.
Stein, who has been the Green Party’s presidential nominee three times, was among those arrested during the Washington University demonstration. Her legal case has continued despite the passage of more than two years since the protest.
The latest court action means Stein is not currently subject to the warrant issued Monday, but she is expected to appear before the St. Louis court next month.
Source: stlmag
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