Patriot Prayer leader sues Multnomah County DA

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson and supporter Russell Schultz, who both face riot charges in Multnomah County, have filed a federal lawsuit against the county’s district attorney, alleging selective prosecution based on political beliefs.

The suit filed Friday accuses Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt of engaging in unfair prosecution by refusing to dismiss a sole felony riot allegation against them.

The claim comes after Schmidt’s new office policy saying he won’t pursue that charge against people involved in recent Portland protests without an accompanying allegation of specific property damage or use of force, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.

On May Day 2019, Gibson and Schultz are among six men accused of inciting a riot between right-wing Patriot Prayer and left-leaning antifa outside a Portland pub. Gibson and Schultz have pleaded not guilty and their trials are set for October.

Read more: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/patriot-prayer-leader-sues-multnomah-county-district-attorney/