PORTSMOUTH, Va. 鈥� Attorneys for a Virginia state senator have asked a judge to dismiss charges that allege that she conspired to damage a Confederate monument.
The Virginian-Pilot reported Thursday that the lawyers for Sen. Louise Lucas argue that the case stems from 鈥渁n illegal and unsanctioned police action.鈥�
Attorneys Don Scott and Verbena Askew argue that a criminal investigation of an elected official must be requested by the governor, the attorney general or a grand jury.
The attorneys said that police in Portsmouth failed to make such a request.
The charges stem from a June protest that drew hundreds of people to a Confederate monument. It was heavily damaged.
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