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BumRushDaShow

(163,346 posts)
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 05:20 PM Nov 3

Trial starts for assault case against D.C. man who tossed sandwich at federal agent in viral video

Source: PBS News/AP


Pedestrians in Washington, D.C., pass a sign depicting a man throwing a sandwich, used as a symbol of protest, after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard and ordered an increased presence of federal law enforcement to assist in crime prevention over the summer. Photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters


Nov 3, 2025 4:26 PM EST


WASHINGTON (AP) — Throwing a sandwich at a federal agent turned Sean Charles Dunn into a symbol of resistance against President Donald Trump’s law-enforcement surge in the nation’s capital. This week, federal prosecutors are trying to persuade a jury of fellow Washington, D.C., residents that Dunn simply broke the law.

That could be a tough sell for the government in a city that has chafed against Trump’s federal takeover, which is entering its third month. A grand jury refused to indict Dunn on a felony assault count before U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office opted to charge him instead with a misdemeanor.

Securing a trial conviction could prove to be equally challenging for Justice Department prosecutors in Washington, where murals glorifying Dunn’s sandwich toss popped up virtually overnight.

Before jury selection started Monday, the judge presiding over Dunn’s trial seemed to acknowledge how unusual it is for a case like this to be heard in federal court. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, said he expects the trial to last no more than two days “because it’s the simplest case in the world.”

Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trial-starts-for-assault-case-against-d-c-man-who-tossed-sandwich-at-federal-agent-in-viral-video



REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143512758
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143519611
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143520364
28 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trial starts for assault case against D.C. man who tossed sandwich at federal agent in viral video (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Nov 3 OP
I thought he was already cleared by a grand jury. Justice Brandeis Nov 3 #1
He was not indicted by the grand jury on felony charges questionseverything Nov 3 #3
Misdemeanor sandwich charges. Irish_Dem Nov 3 #4
I mean I guess it is technically a misdemeanor SSJVegeta Nov 3 #6
SUBpar misdemeanor charges. 2MuchNoise Nov 3 #7
A real "hero" Polybius Nov 3 #19
Charges are pure baloney. Irish_Dem Nov 4 #22
The stupidest court case of all time? RazorbackExpat Nov 4 #23
I just updated the OP with the history BumRushDaShow Nov 3 #5
Idk post # 8 says they got an indictment the second time they went in front of the grand jury questionseverything Nov 3 #11
But not for their original "felony" charge request. BumRushDaShow Nov 3 #15
Misdemeanor charges do not require a grand jury LetMyPeopleVote Nov 4 #27
I hope the jury finds him "not guilty." We need to resist Trump's goons in every way possible. Jim__ Nov 3 #2
THE DAY AHEAD: Trial begins in..... salami sandwich-throwing case LetMyPeopleVote Nov 3 #8
If they don't convict this guy there will need to be sandwich projectile laws bucolic_frolic Nov 3 #9
can he sue azureblue Nov 3 #10
No. He could try to .. . reACTIONary Nov 3 #16
Not guilty. republianmushroom Nov 3 #12
I'd go with the "Food is speech" 1A argument. eggplant Nov 3 #13
If money is speech.... reACTIONary Nov 3 #17
Well, next will be a bluestarone Nov 3 #14
Off to the Penal Colonies for you, you thug! Aussie105 Nov 3 #18
The best defense is to show BidenRocks Nov 3 #20
The idea of punishment on a protester for throwing a sandwich at myself would... chouchou Nov 3 #21
"your honor, this was a pastrami sandwich." Javaman Nov 4 #24
In Trump's absurd America, a loaded sub in a leftist's hands is more dangerous than a loaded gun in a child's hands. Efilroft Sul Nov 4 #25
Jury nullification... walkingman Nov 4 #26
Subs are a dangerous weapon...for wimps. LetMyPeopleVote Nov 4 #28

questionseverything

(11,484 posts)
3. He was not indicted by the grand jury on felony charges
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 05:29 PM
Nov 3

So the prosecutor is charging him with misdemeanor charges ( that don’t need a grand jury)

RazorbackExpat

(768 posts)
23. The stupidest court case of all time?
Tue Nov 4, 2025, 07:01 AM
Nov 4

If it's not THE stupidest, it's absolutely ONE of the stupidest

BumRushDaShow

(163,346 posts)
5. I just updated the OP with the history
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 05:34 PM
Nov 3

They couldn't get a grand jury to indict on a felony assault charge and were left with a misdemeanor charge.

questionseverything

(11,484 posts)
11. Idk post # 8 says they got an indictment the second time they went in front of the grand jury
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 06:32 PM
Nov 3

So Idk

BumRushDaShow

(163,346 posts)
15. But not for their original "felony" charge request.
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 07:30 PM
Nov 3

They had to go with a misdemeanor.

ETA from the linked article in one of the OP comments "REFERENCE" OPs - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143519611
(https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/grand-jury-declines-indict-sandwich-guy-threw-sub-dc-federal-officer-rcna227464)

(snip)

The federal charges against Dunn were initially filed by criminal complaint, but prosecutors are required to secure an indictment from a grand jury made up of Washington residents within 30 days under the Speedy Trial Act, a federal law. Dunn is due to make a preliminary appearance in federal court on Sept. 4.

It is unclear whether prosecutors will once again try to get another grand jury to indict Dunn before his next court appearance. If they fail to secure an indictment, they would have to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor offense, which could still expose Dunn to up to a year behind bars.

(snip)

Jim__

(15,014 posts)
2. I hope the jury finds him "not guilty." We need to resist Trump's goons in every way possible.
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 05:26 PM
Nov 3

azureblue

(2,617 posts)
10. can he sue
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 06:17 PM
Nov 3

for SLAPP or malicious prosecution? The charges were laughable in the first place, but LEOs make a habit of flinging charges just to cost the defendant money in legal fees, or make them plead guilty out of poverty..

reACTIONary

(6,851 posts)
16. No. He could try to .. .
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 08:10 PM
Nov 3

.... mount "malicious prosecution" as a defense and petition for the charges to be dropped. But that is very, very, very, to many nines of very's, unlikely. Even Comy, who has a very good case for that defense is not being given good chances.

Aussie105

(7,408 posts)
18. Off to the Penal Colonies for you, you thug!
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 08:50 PM
Nov 3

Monty Python skit in the making!

Judge: What is this sad example of humanity charged with?
Stealing a sheep, an apple, a horse?

Lawyer: Much worse than that, your Honor!
He attacked an upstanding enforcer of the law!

Judge: Attack? What with? Sword, knife, stick?

Lawyer: Much worse, your honor!
It was a stale sandwich, hard as, thrown with some force, the enforcer of the law was both frightened and hurt!

Judge: Damn, I'm suddenly hungry!
What sort of sandwich was it?

Lawyer: Undisclosed, milord.

Judge: Such depravity shall not stand!
Off to the Penal Colonies with you, you fiend!

(Little known fact: The Australian Island of Tasmania was settled initially by convicts, sent from Mother England for trivial crimes. Stealing a chicken an apple, etc.)

BidenRocks

(2,519 posts)
20. The best defense is to show
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 10:56 PM
Nov 3

how agents were claiming actual harm, until the projectile was shown to be a sub.

First they go for a felony and have false info spread and when exposed, try again just to inflict some monetary loss and a year in jail.

Fuck 'this' America!

chouchou

(2,607 posts)
21. The idea of punishment on a protester for throwing a sandwich at myself would...
Mon Nov 3, 2025, 11:32 PM
Nov 3

....vibrate my anger all the way up to: "You fucking Asshole" That's it. period
Also..if the damn thing hit another agent (and he/her pressed charges) I'd look down on him/Her
as Royal Chicken Shit and never want to work with them..

Javaman

(64,914 posts)
24. "your honor, this was a pastrami sandwich."
Tue Nov 4, 2025, 07:28 AM
Nov 4

If it were, say, tuna, we would be more lenient. but that pastrami was dry! someone could have lost an eye!!!!"

Efilroft Sul

(4,239 posts)
25. In Trump's absurd America, a loaded sub in a leftist's hands is more dangerous than a loaded gun in a child's hands.
Tue Nov 4, 2025, 10:25 AM
Nov 4

walkingman

(10,109 posts)
26. Jury nullification...
Tue Nov 4, 2025, 10:31 AM
Nov 4

is when a jury returns a "not guilty" verdict even when they believe the defendant broke the law, often because they find the law itself to be unjust, immoral, or wrongly applied.

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