Deanna West pleaded guilty to being part of a conspiracy to set a cross on fire in front of a defaced campaign sign for the first Black mayor of Colorado Springs as a hoax. The goal of the conspiracy was to interfere in Mayor Yemi Mobolade’s campaign and create the belief that he was being discouraged from running because of his race. West participated in the hoax to curry favor with another person involved, Derrick Bernard. Lawyers for Bernard and the third person charged, Ashley Blackcloud, argue that the actions were political theater protected by the First Amendment and were meant to help Mobolade win by generating outrage.
Bernard communicated with Mobolade before and after the cross-burning but has denied any involvement. Mobolade has also denied any knowledge or involvement in the crime and has cooperated with investigators. While everyone involved in the incident faces charges, lawyers for Bernard and Blackcloud are asking for the charges to be dropped since no one was threatened by the cross burning, which was seen only by the defendants themselves. Mobolade has been identified as a victim or potential victim during the investigation, and he has provided all communications sought by investigators in the case.
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