Grace’s sign targeted Hunter’s commute, DA’s office asserts
A judge found probable cause for the charge and is letting the case proceed, according to online court records.
Prosecutors doubled down this month on claims that Concordian John Grace broke the law with at least one alleged sign criticizing schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter.
A new 12-page document says investigators identified Grace as the signmaker from a fingerprint found on a display on Walden Street that said “Fire liar Hunter.”
Prosecutors now say the actual lawbreaking happened with a separate message on Old Bedford Road.
A judge found probable cause for the charge and is letting the case proceed, according to online court records.
Hunter had a harassment prevention order in place against Grace after prior clashes. The order required Grace to have no contact and to stay away from her office.
Grace allegedly knew Hunter traveled along Old Bedford Road to get to work and broke the no-contact rule when he placed a “Fire liar Hunter” sign there, Assistant District Attorney Laura Miller wrote.
Grace’s attorney, George King, has framed anything his client did as protected political speech. He filed a motion to dismiss the misdemeanor charge of violating a harassment prevention order.
Grace was calling for Hunter’s firing, King said in court, and “she didn’t like it.”
Political speech can’t violate even a valid court order, King argued.
Prosecutors disagree, and they filed their response moments before Grace’s most recent court appearance on March 4.
If Grace thought the rules constrained his rights, he should have appealed, the DA’s office said. He can’t “violate the court order and then challenge the court order in the subsequent criminal action,” ADA Miller wrote.
Signs and “scarecrows” started appearing around town last fall. Police arrested Grace in November.
Officials have cited a display placed at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery with the words, “The hatchet for Hunter.” This “violent” language frightened the superintendent, per court filings, and police started escorting her to work.
Judges Sharon Lalli and Lynn Brendemuehl have heard various court dates in the case.
Lalli ruled in the prosecution’s favor — for now — by rejecting the defense motion to dismiss.
Prosecutors have advanced a separate motion that would force Grace to reveal his phone passcode.
King said he still hadn’t received paperwork from the search of his client’s home, and Lalli agreed to postpone that discussion. Grace is due back in court April 1.
