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Overzealous war protester gets suspended sentence, community service Date published: 4/27/2007
BY KEITH EPPS A man whose anti-war expressions attracted widespread Internet attention received a suspended sentence yesterday in Fredericksburg General District Court. Andrew J. Stone, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and battery. A third count was dropped. Judge John R. Stevens sentenced Stone to 60 days in jail and suspended the entire time. Stone was also ordered to complete an anger management class and 25 hours of community service. According to the evidence, Stone went to the home of Reed Pannell on Marye Street Feb. 17 after finding Pannell's name in a listing for College Republicans in Fredericksburg. Pannell is a junior at the University of Mary Washington and Stone is an alumnus. Stone said he was going door to door with Army recruiting materials. His plan was to ask those on the list if they support the war in Iraq--and if so, why they weren't fighting in it. The discussion deteriorated quickly, and Pannell and his roommates asked Stone to leave. Stone refused, and punched Matthew Long during the ensuing scuffle. Pannell was also punched before the three roommates got Stone out of the home. He was later arrested. Michelle Malkin, a Fox News regular and nationally known conservative columnist and blogger, picked up on the incident and portrayed Stone as an example of "liberals out of control." Many of her supporters sent e-mails and made phone calls criticizing Stone and a reporter who wrote about the incident for allegedly showing favoritism to the liberal cause. Tim Barbrow, Stone's attorney, downplayed the political ramifications of the incident. He said that Stone went to the home simply to "exchange ideas on an emotional topic and his emotions got the best of him. And he regrets that," Barbrow said. Keith Epps: 540/374-5404Email: kepps@freelancestar.com
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