Man arrested for allegedly threatening worshipers at Phoenix mosque

[brooklynite]

Source: The Hill

A man was arrested for allegedly intimidating and threatening worshippers at a mosque in Phoenix, Ariz.

The Phoenix Police Department on Saturday night arrested Noel Thomas Becht on charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and threatening and intimidating, according to the Associated Press. Becht remained in custody at the Maricopa County Jail as of Monday.

Becht initially entered the United Islamic Center Saturday evening around 7 p.m. when he asked about the Muslim religion and requested to sit in on a prayer service, police say.

...snip...

When questioned by a mosque leader why he was there and showed interest in the religion, police say Becht "put his finger to his neck and made a sawing motion.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/434594-man-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-worshipers-at-phoenix-mosque

[matt819]

1. Assault

Not a lawyer.

But doesn't this behavior rise to the level of assault?

Definition from some internet site (so it must be true): The main difference between a battery charge and an assault charge is the actual presence of harm and the threat of harm. Someone can only be charged with battery if they have caused real physical harm to someone, while a person can be charged with assault if the mere threat of harm is present.

Hey, as long as the other charges result in arrest, I'm fine. If the assault charge would result in more jail time, I'm even finer with that.

[onenote]

3. Probably not.

In Arizona, the relevant definition of a basic assault (class 2 misdemeanor) is "Intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury." The issue in this situation is whether the action (making a slashing motion across one's throat) is enough to put a person in reasonable apprehension of "imminent" physical injury. If the person had flashed a knife, that would probably get past the imminent element, but a finger? Harder case.

[Bengus81]

5. Bet if someone saw you point a your finger like a gun at Trump and have it go off....

you'd be taken down by the secret service in five seconds and arrested. What's the dif??

[TomSlick]

4. I'm not an Arizona lawyer but this would seem to make out an offense of making a terrorist threat.

[link:https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/02308-02.htm|

Failing that, it would seem to make out the offense of threatening.

[link:https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/01202.htm|

[LiberalLovinLug]

2. sickening how Trump is empowering these scumbag deplorables

Every time another right wing white nationalist terror attack happens, and a weak condemnation from the President, they get bolder.