Brandon Moore found guilty in Wicomico District Court

John Leo Walter, the lawyer for twenty-two year old Brandon Moore says, “We didn’t think that the state met it’s burden of proof. All in all we’re pretty happy with the outcome.”

A Wicomico County district court judge found Moore guilty of three out of five counts Wednesday.

Moore is one of three men that were arrested during a protest at the 2014 Salisbury Christmas Parade. The demonstration was organized to stand up against to the recent decisions not to indict the officers that killed Eric Garner and Michael Brown.

The protest started out peacefully, but it escalated in a matter of minutes. The state claims Moore pushed a Salisbury police officer identified as Corporal Jason Harrington, with both hands during the turmoil at the parade.

They also say while Moore was protesting, he ignored orders to move out the street halting the procession of the parade.

Considering this, the judge found Moore guilty of assault in the second degree, failure to obey a lawful order, and disorderly conduct.

However, the judge did not find him guilty of resisting arrest or disturbing the peace. Moore has been sentenced to probation before judgement. 

Walter says, “The court strikes the guilty finding and actually makes you not guilty. It’s sort of giving you a bite at the apple.”

Moore must serve five days in jail, as well as forty-five days in the warden’s work program, which is essentially community service.

Mr. Walter is confident that once his client serves his sentencing, his record will be cleared.

In addition to jail time and community service, Brandon Moore will have to pay seven- hundred dollars in fines and will be on probation for two years.