Missouri judge rules McCloskeys not entitled to have weapons returned, fines remitted after pardon

A Missouri judge ruled this week that Mark and Patricia McCloskey aren’t entitled to get their weapons back or have their fines remitted because they were pardoned by the governor after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges last year. 

The McCloskeys pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and second-degree harassment, both misdemeanors, connected to a standoff with protesters in 2020. 

The couple waved guns at Black Lives Matter protesters who had entered a private road in front of their home in June 2020.

Mark McCloskey brought a lawsuit last year in which he alleged the couple was entitled to the Colt AR-15 rifle and a Bryco .380-caliber they were forced to surrender after their plea deal and the roughly $2,750 they were ordered to pay. 

US SUPREME COURT DECLINES TO HEAR MCCLOSKEYS' LAW LICENSE CASE 

The couple was pardoned by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, after they pleaded guilty. 

Circuit Judge Joan Moriarty ruled Wednesday that the pardon had no bearing on the plea agreement. 

MARK MCCLOSKEY CITES GOVERNOR'S PARDON IN LAWSUIT TO GET GUNS BACK 

"Plaintiff and his wife are required to follow through with their end of the bargain," she wrote.

The McCloskeys were originally indicted on felony weapons charges. 

They have said they felt threatened by the protesters. 

"There was no evidence that any of them had a weapon and no one I interviewed realized they had ventured onto a private enclave," Richard Callahan, the special prosecutor who investigated the case said of the protesters in a news release. 

Criminologist grad student hit with four counts of first-degree murder

MOSCOW, Idaho – Suspect Bryan Christopher Kohberger has been charged with four counts of murder and felony burglary for fatally stabbing four University of Idaho student in an off-campus rental home Nov. 13, Idaho, Moscow, officials announced Friday at a press conference.

Kohberger was arrested Friday morning in eastern Pennsylvania for the grisly slayings of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20.

"These murders have shaken our community, and no arrest will ever bring back these young students," Moscow Police Chief James Fry told reporters, as he appeared to choke back tears. 

"What I can tell you is we have an individual in custody who committed these horrible crimes and I do believe our community is safe," he said when asked if police are searching for additional suspects.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDERS TIMELINE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SLAUGHTER OF FOUR STUDENTS

Kohberger is a PhD student at the department of criminal justice and criminology at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington – about 8 miles from the King Road home where the students were slaughtered.

The Moscow Police Department, the Idaho State Police and the FBI have been working tirelessly for nearly seven weeks to track down the killer as the public and victims' families have scrutinized the investigation. 

IDAHO MURDER SUSPECT: WHO IS BRYAN CHRISTOPHER KOHBERGER

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said a criminal complaint was filed Thursday charging Kohberger with four counts of first-degree murder and felony burglary, "which involves entering the residence with the intent to commit the crime of murder." 

The probable cause affidavit outlining details of the crime will remain sealed until Kohberger is extradited back to Latah County and served with the Idaho arrest warrant in compliance with the law, Thompson said.

Kohberger made his initial appearance in front of a judge in Monroe County Court Friday morning in Pennsylvania and is being held without bond. He's due back in court there Tuesday afternoon and will be represented by a public defender, Thompson added.

Police executed a search warrant on Kohberger's Pullman apartment Friday.

GROUP SPOTTED WALKING IN BACKGROUND OF BODYCAM VIDEO TAKEN NEAR CRIME SCENE AT 3 A.M.

In recent weeks the probe has focus on a white 2011 to 2013 Hyundai Elantra spotted near the crime scene around the time of the murders.

Fry said police had recovered an Elantra but did not elaborate. NBC reported that an Elantra was removed from the property where Kohberger had been arrested.

The police chief declined to answer questions on when the investigation zeroed in on Kohberger or the specific evidence that allegedly ties him to the crime. 

Fry said the investigation is far from over and urged the public to continue submitting tips.

"We are still trying to build that picture," he said. "We're putting all the pieces together and that will help."

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to call 208-883-7180 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..