(MARYVILLE, Mo., AP) — A northwest Missouri sheriff anticipates up to 2,000 people showing up for a protest organized online on behalf of a girl who says she was sexually assaulted when she was 14.
Nodaway County Sheriff Darren White says the county is placing portable toilets on Maryville’s courthouse square and taking other measures to accommodate whatever crowd shows up for the 6 p.m. rally Tuesday.
At least two activist groups have called for a protest of the county prosecutor’s decision last year to drop charges against a boy accused of plying Daisy Coleman with alcohol in January 2012 and sexually assaulting her.
White says he’s hoping for a peaceful gathering, but with a possible counter-protest also in the works, he acknowledges there is always the risk of a disturbance.
Nodaway County Clerk Beth Walker says the courthouse and county administrative building are being closed. Walker says law enforcement officers will maintain some kind of presence around the buildings during the rally.
At least two activist groups have called for a protest of the county prosecutor’s decision last year to drop charges against a boy accused of plying Daisy Coleman with alcohol in January 2012 and sexually assaulting her.
White says he’s hoping for a peaceful gathering, but with a possible counter-protest also in the works, he acknowledges there is always the risk of a disturbance.
Nodaway County Clerk Beth Walker says the courthouse and county administrative building are being closed. Walker says law enforcement officers will maintain some kind of presence around the buildings during the rally.
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