Case dismissed against Virginia lawmaker accused of damaging monument

Sen. Louise Lucas faces charges of of conspiracy to commit a felony and injury to a monument in excess of $1,000, Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene said during a news conference. The protest occurred in June. (WSLS)

A judge in Virginia has dismissed charges against a Black state senator who police said conspired to damage a Confederate monument in the city of Portsmouth.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that the charges against Sen. Louise Lucas were dismissed Monday at the request of the city’s top prosecutor.

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The Commonwealth’s Attorney said the elements of the charges weren’t properly met. Portsmouth’s police department charged Lucas and several others in August. The charges stemmed from a protest in June during which heads were ripped off some of the monument’s statues.

One statue was pulled down, critically injuring a demonstrator. Many said the charges against Lucas were political and unlikely to withstand legal scrutiny.