It took a jury less than two hours to find Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri, who was pepper sprayed and arrested while covering a protest, not guilty.
IOWA CITY An Iowa jury on Wednesday acquitted a journalist who was pepper-sprayed and arrested by police while covering a protest, in a case that critics ha
Sahouri was the first working U.S. journalist to face a criminal trial since 2018, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Although more than 125 U.S. journalists were arrested or detained last year, the vast majority were not charged or had their charges dismissed.
Sahouri told reporters she was relieved by the quick acquittal, which she called a victory for press freedom and democracy. She said the case had taken a toll on her personally and professionally, but that she would continue reporting the news. I have been dealing with a lot of pressure and anxiety and trauma from the assault and continuing to do my job has been difficult, she said. But it is important. That is why I am in this field.
The verdict is an embarrassing outcome for the office of Polk County Attorney John Sarcone, which pursued the charges despite widespread condemnation from advocates for a free press and human rights.
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