Justice Department prosecutors dropped their case against the woman who was arrested after laughing during Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ confirmation hearing, according to a report Tuesday.
Desiree Fairooz, who was set to face a second trial next week, is a 61 year-old veteran activist associated with the organization Code Pink. She was arrested during Jeff Sessions’ conformation hearing in January for loudly laughing after Sen. Richard Shelby, R- Ala., said the now-attorney general had a “clear and well-documented” record of “treating all Americans equally under the law.”
A Capitol Police officer — who had never made an arrest or covered a congressional hearing, according to the report — arrested Fairooz, which she loudly fought. Following the arrest, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia pressed two charges against her.
A judge tossed out a jury’s May conviction of a Fairooz, saying the government had inappropriately argued to the jury her laughter was enough to find her guilty, the Huffington Post reported.
“The last 10 months of my life have been somewhat stressful facing trial and the possibility of jail time and a criminal conviction for a chortle so I am greatly relieved that I will not stand trial again,” Fairooz said. “As activists, we cannot be deterred from speaking out against injustice, standing up for our constitutional rights and yes, laughing.”
