Is a UNM student a patriot or vandal?

[fultonCoShooter]

Video: http://kob.com/article/stories/S375155.shtml?cat=500


New Mexico


In three weeks a jury will decide if a UNM student accused of tearing down a Mexican flag on campus is a patriot or a vandal.

Peter Lynch and his attorney requested a jury trial just days after his arraignment.

Lynch is accused of pulling down a Mexican flag that was kept up following a Mexican Independence Day celebration on campus.

And because of some confusion the flag ended up flying by itself, without an American flag next to it.

A Hispanic student group called Lynch's action a hate crime, but Lynch's attorney said his client is a patriot.

"I'm an Italian American, if it was an Italian flag there flying unaccompanied or below the American flag, I'd be defending Peter Lynch," said John D'Amato.

Lynch faces a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property, not a hate crime.

If convicted, he could spend up to six months in jail.

Lynch's trial begins on April 1.

[Seneca Arms Co. Inc.]

This is America no other national flag should be raised...period! This kid did a good thing.

[ScaredOnce]

It's obviously becomming politically motivated/ charged. However, I'd be interested in hearing a lawyers opinion on what sentence he's likely to get from an M3 misdemeanor... ?? Assuming PA code...

[reels18]

The kid is a patriot in my mind. It is a shame we have come to the point where this would even be considered a crime. The person that flew the flag is a criminal in my opinion.

We are being invaded with the help and blessings of the Mexican government. Our politicians would rather sit around with their heads up their asses and collect their pay while not doing their sworn duty.

[Pa. Patriot]

If your flying the mexican flag alone or above the American flag your in the wrong country - period.
I've lived in other countries and would never have even considered flying the American flag in such a disrespectful manner (to my host country)

My vote:
Patriot

[gnbrotz]

Yup - Definitely a Patriot.

[awkx]

Technically, he *is* guilty of misdemeanor criminal damage to property. Two wrongs do not make a right. However, I think this case is ripe for jury nullification, because the punishment would be unjust in proportion to the crime; if I were a juror, I would vote for acquittal.

Oh, and I wonder if the guys who flew the Mexican flag are going to prosecuted under the relevant federal law...

[ChamberedRound]

Patriot, without a doubt. No other flag should be raised before the US flag within the US... ever.

[TaurusGuy]

WTF has this country come to? Seriously...When can we stop worrying about offending other people?

The guy is a patriot and this shouldn't even be going on to begin with. If he had done this 20 years ago...hell, even 10 years ago, nobody would have said shit.


*edit...typo!

[LorDiego01]

His heart is in the right place, however, the item didn't belong to him, and thus, it IS theft and destruction of private property.

I say a little community service, nothing more, nothing less.