A woman who was charged with protesting at St. Joseph Cathedral during a Respect Life Mass in January was specifically targeted because of her anti-police stance, according to her attorney.
Brian Bardwell, a first amendment attorney in Cleveland, filed a motion to dismiss the charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct against his client, Michelle M. Davis, on April 29 on the grounds of selective prosecution. The motion will be heard on Tuesday morning in Franklin County Municipal Court.
Bardwell alleges that the Columbus Division of Police pursued charges against Davis — who was part of a group of four protesters charged following their actions at a Jan. 22 protest at the Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral Downtown — because she also protested against police misconduct. Others charged include Jordyn Close, 24; Mason Hickman, 24; and Anne Morrice, 35.