Man convicted of assault for hitting Trump protester
A man accused of punching a protester outside a rally for President Donald Trump has been found guilty.
A jury convicted Dallas Frazier, 30, Thursday of misdemeanor assault for hitting Michael Alter, 61, outside the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati in August.
Thousands attended the rally at the Cincinnati arena.
Frazier, of Georgetown, Kentucky, jumped out of his vehicle near a group of protesters and shouted, “You want some,” before repeatedly punching the 61-year-old protester in the face, police and prosecutors said.
Frazier’s attorneys argued it wasn’t an assault but a mutual fight worthy of a disorderly conduct charge. They argued that Alter instigated the confrontation by taunting Frazier and making a “come on” gesture after Frazier got out of the truck.
A witness who stepped in to push Frazier away testified he was the aggressor. Prosecutors said Alter did not punch back.
The attack tore an artery in Alter’s eye that required surgery.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17. Frazier faces as many as 180 days in jail for the misdemeanor charge.
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