Missouri governor pardons couple who waved guns at Black Lives Matter protesters

Republican Missouri Governor Mike Parson on Tuesday pardoned Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who were seen in a viral photograph waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in June 2020. The couple pleaded guilty to misdemeanor gun charges in June, although Mark McCloskey announced in May that he would be running for U.S. Senate. 

Parson issued 12 pardons and two commutations on Tuesday, including the McCloskeys.  According to CBS St. Louis affiliate KMOV-TV, Patricia McCloskey had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment and was fined $2,000. Her husband, Mark McCloskey, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and was fined $750. They had also agreed to give up the weapons they used during the incident.