This browser does not support the Video element.
Jake Lang won't face criminal charges, Paul Blume explains why
Far-right activist Jake Lang will not face charges after he was arrested in Minneapolis on riot charges, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced on Tuesday. However, the protester dressed up as Spider-Man who was arrested during the rally is facing charges. FOX 9's Paul Blume joined All Day to explain.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A Jake Lang counter-protester is facing assault charges after an incident in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday turned violent.
Spider-Man charged with assault
What we know:
A man wearing a Spider-Man costume at Saturday’s protest, identified by Minneapolis police as 33-year-old William Nicholas Love, has been charged with fifth-degree assault – fear of bodily harm or death.
Video from the Aug. 22 event shows a man in a Spider-Man outfit jump onto a pick-up truck occupied by Lang. The man is seen throwing punches at Lang, and at one point attempts to take a sign Lang is holding.
A detailed complaint has not been filed against Love. He was charged through the Minneapolis City Attorney's office.
Lang, known to be a far-right activist, staged a rally in Minneapolis on Saturday to support Rochester woman Shiloh Hendrix – who was convicted in Rochester related to an incident where she used the N-word against a child at a playground.
The rally drew a large protest and quickly grew out of control.
Local perspective:
Lang is already facing charges across the river in St. Paul for felony vandalism. He is charged with the destruction of a "Prosecute ICE" ice sculpture.
Lang was set to face trial last month in that case, but the trial was delayed after Lang's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss.
Lang gained notoriety after he was arrested and jailed for years following the Jan. 6 riots. He has been arrested multiple times since being pardoned by President Trump for any crimes on Jan. 6.
Days before his Minneapolis arrest, Lang was involved in another explosive rally in Dearborn, Michigan. That rally resulted in the arrests of 22 people.
Charges declined against Jake Lang
The backstory:
Lang will not face felony charges for Saturday’s rally.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office was declining felony charges against Edward "Jake" Lang related to his rally outside Minneapolis City Hall over the weekend.
Moriarty says her office didn't have a "path forward for felony charges to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt" after "a review of extensive evidence of communication and logistical coordination between the Minneapolis Police Department and Lang’s security detail."
What they're saying:
Moriarty did condemn Lang and his rally, writing: "His actions on Saturday were despicable and disgusting."
The Source: Charges filed in Hennepin County Court.