WASHINGTON (AP) - A grand jury declined Friday to indict Rep. Cynthia McKinney in connection with a confrontation in which she admitted hitting a police officer who tried to stop her from entering a House office building. The grand jury had been considering the case since shortly after the March 29 incident, which has led to much discussion on Capitol Hill about race and the conduct of lawmakers and the officers who protect them.
She's been held up for ridicule, and without a trial there's no chance of her redeeming herself in public opinion. | ``We respect the decision of the grand jury in this difficult matter,'' said U.S. Attorney Kenneth Wainstein. His statement, released late Friday, also included support for the officer involved, Paul McKenna, and the Capitol Police. He said, ``This is a tremendously difficult job, and it is one that Officer McKenna and his colleagues perform with the utmost professionalism and dignity.'' With that, Wainstein closed a case that has simmered with racial and political tension.
``I am relieved that this unfortunate incident is behind me,'' McKinney said in a statement Friday night. ``I accept today's grand jury finding of 'no probable cause' as right and just and the proper resolution of this case.'' |