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Trial begins for CSU lecturer accused of throwing tear gas at immigration officers
Jonathan Caravello and his attorney, Knut Johnson, at a press conference following his arraignment.
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Julia Barajas
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LAist
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Topline:
The trial for a Cal State lecturer who’s been charged with assault with “a deadly or dangerous weapon” after allegedly throwing a tear gas canister back at federal immigration agents started Wednesday.
The backstory: Jonathan Caravello is a philosophy lecturer in Cal State Channel Islands’ math and data science department. Last summer, Caravello was arrested while protesting a raid at a licensed cannabis farm in Ventura County. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
What the government says: The federal government says agents were executing a search warrant at the farm, in search of evidence of unlawful employment. In his opening statements Wednesday, assistant U.S. attorney Roger Hsieh said agents deployed tear gas because protesters were obstructing traffic on a two-lane road. Hsieh said Caravello picked up a canister agents deployed and threw it back at them.
What Caravello’s legal team says: Caravello's legal team, led by attorney Knut Johnson, said the lecturer did not hurt anyone and shared a video showing federal vehicles making their way across the road. The defense also says Caravello picked up and threw the canister as far as he could — past the agents — to keep protesters safe from harm.
What's next: Judge Cynthia Valenzuela said she expects the trial to take up to four days.
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