DA candidate is arrested for campaign video in which drivers cut doughnuts in parking lot
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A district attorney candidate in Columbus, Georgia, hosted a campaign rally Friday after his conspiracy arrest for a campaign video that featured drivers cutting doughnuts in a civic center parking lot.
Candidate Mark Jones criticized his opponent, District Attorney Julia Slater, even though she said she had nothing to do with the arrest and she has recused herself in the case, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports.
The video features a rapper telling viewers to get out and vote. During the video, a car is shown leaving black marks on the pavement as it drives in circles. The video was shot without a permit, according to coverage by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Police said the two drivers caused $306,000 in damage to the parking lot. They were charged with felony interference with government property, first-degree criminal damage to property, reckless conduct, reckless driving and laying drag, according to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
Jones was charged with attempting to commit reckless conduct, conspiracy to commit reckless conduct, conspiracy to commit interference with government property, and conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property.
About 75 people attended Jones’ campaign rally outside his law office.
“Slater proved the point that I was trying to make all along, which is that they are wasting our time prosecuting frivolous cases, particularly against minorities in Columbus,” said Jones, who is white.
The two drivers who were charged are black.
