Missouri AG offers full resources to St. Louis following violent protests

After the acquittal of Jason Stockley came out Friday morning, some protests in St. Louis became violent.

Stockley, a former St. Louis police officer, was acquitted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith, following a high-speed chase in 2011.

In response to the violent protests, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley sent a letter to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office that said his office is ready to provide whatever assistance, support or resources may be needed to protect the people of St. Louis.

“I am committed to upholding the constitutional rights of all Missourians, including the fundamental rights of peaceful protesters to engage in free speech and peaceable assembly. However, no person has the right to engage in violence or crime,” Hawley wrote.

Hawley said anyone who uses protests to commit crime needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

“As you know, Missouri law criminalizes acts of violence, assault, vandalism, riot, unlawful assembly, attacks on police officers, and interference with police officers in the discharge of their duties,” Hawley wrote in the letter.

Hawley also wrote that the verdict and the events following the verdict may increase the St. Louis circuit’s caseload, but his office is prepared to help lighten the load.