'He kicked me right in my crotch': Bodycam video shows aftermath of brawl at Michigan GOP meeting

23 August 2023

Republicans have had their share of disappointments in Michigan in recent years, from President Joe Biden winning the state in 2020 to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer enjoying an 11 percent reelection victory over far-right GOP challenger Tudor Dixon two years later. But instead of moving closer to the center, the Michigan GOP has moved more and more to the right. Michigan GOP Chair Kristina Karamo is a MAGA conspiracy theorist who falsely claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump in her state.

Tensions among Michigan Republicans were evident on July 8 during a brawl at a GOP committee meeting at Clare, Michigan's Doherty Hotel. According to MLive, a 63-year-old Michigan Republican, delegate James F. Chapman, has been "charged with two misdemeanors for allegedly attacking Clare County Republican Party Chair Mark L. DeYoung, 55." And a newly released bodycam video shows Chapman and DeYoung speaking to police after they were called to the scene.

In the video, Chapman tells police he was excluded from the meeting and alleges that Clare County Republican Party Chair Mark L. DeYoung told him, 'Man, I'll kick your ass.'"

POLL: Should Trump be allowed to hold office again?

In the video, Chapman alleges, "I said, 'Come on outside and do it.' He came out the door and started to do it! I barely had time to take my glasses off and fling them down the hallway."

DeYoung, in the video, can be seen telling an officer that Chapman "kicked me right in my crotch."

MLive reporter Cole Waterman, in an August 22 article, explains, "Clare County prosecutor Michelle J. Ambrozaitis, on August 9, announced she had charged Chapman with assault and battery and disturbing the peace, also both misdemeanors punishable by up to 93 and 90 days in jail, respectively, and a $500 fine. Chapman is to be arraigned on September 5."

Waterman notes that in May 2020, Chapman "was involved in an altercation on the steps of the Michigan Capitol." The GOP activist, Waterman recalls, "brought a brown-haired Barbie doll with a noose around its neck hanging from a 13-star Betsy Ross flag and fishing rod to protest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions."

"A skirmish erupted when another protester attempted to grab the doll off the flag," according to Waterman. "He told a reporter with Sinclair Broadcast Group the doll was meant to symbolize Whitmer. The previous month, Chapman filed to run for the 21st State House as a Republican, but he did not win the election."

Watch the July 8 video below or at this link.

From Your Site Articles