Arrest Warrant Issued For Stein After No-Show Over Alleged Assault on Cop

A St. Louis judge issued an arrest warrant Monday for former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein after she failed to appear for a hearing involving allegations that she assaulted a police officer during a chaotic anti-Israel protest at Washington University.

The warrant was withdrawn later that day after Stein’s attorney appeared in court. The case remains active, however, and the court has warned that another warrant will be issued if Stein misses the next hearing.

Stein, 76, faces one count of first-degree trespassing and one count of fourth-degree assault stemming from an April 27, 2024, demonstration on the university’s Danforth Campus.

More Than 100 Arrested at Campus Encampment

Protesters marched onto the campus, established an unauthorized encampment and locked arms while chanting “Hold the line” after police issued orders to disperse.

Officers arrested more than 100 people while clearing the encampment.

Stein’s campaign manager and deputy were also among those taken into custody.

According to police accounts and court documents, Stein grabbed an approaching officer’s bicycle, causing it to strike a second officer, identified as Officer Moore, in the forearm.

While Moore held the bicycle above the ground, Stein allegedly kicked him multiple times in the right leg near his groin.

Moore later sought medical care and was reportedly diagnosed with a strained forearm and leg, along with testicular contusions.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and Stein is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Judge Orders Stein Held Without Bond

St. Louis Associate Circuit Judge Karma Johnson issued the failure-to-appear warrant after neither Stein nor her attorney, Joseph Welch, appeared for the scheduled 9 a.m. hearing.

The court had specifically ordered all parties and attorneys to attend in person.

Prosecutors appeared for the hearing and said they were not requesting an arrest warrant. Johnson nevertheless decided to issue one and initially ordered that Stein be held without bond.

“There will be a failure to appear warrant for Ms. Stein,” Johnson said from the bench.

Welch arrived in court several hours later and asked the judge to quash the warrant.

Johnson granted the request, withdrew the warrant and rescheduled the case for Sept. 14.

The new court filing contains an explicit warning: “Warrant to issue if Defendant fails to appear.”

Stein has been ordered to attend personally.

Prosecutor Says Case Is Not About Free Speech

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith previously emphasized that the charges concern Stein’s alleged conduct, not her political views or opposition to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

“These misdemeanor criminal charges are not a statement about the freedoms of speech or assembly, which we honor and uphold as part of our Constitution,” Smith said when announcing the charges.

“They are not a statement about the subject of the protest,” she continued.

“These charges merely reflect our professional judgment that we have the evidence to prove these particular criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” Smith added.

Although more than 100 people were arrested during the demonstration, only Stein and one other individual ultimately faced formal criminal charges.

Stein’s Long History of Far-Left Activism

Stein was the Green Party’s presidential nominee in 2012, 2016 and 2024.

She has described herself as an eco-socialist and repeatedly accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza. Her campaigns have attracted support from elements of the progressive left dissatisfied with the Democratic Party.

Democrats blamed Stein’s 2016 candidacy for taking votes from Hillary Clinton in battleground states that helped determine the election.

In 2024, Stein again positioned herself as an alternative for far-left voters, with opposition to Israel serving as a major part of her campaign.

The Washington University demonstration reflected a broader wave of anti-Israel campus encampments that frequently disrupted university operations and produced confrontations with police.

Free speech and peaceful protest are constitutionally protected. Physically interfering with officers and allegedly kicking one near the groin are not protected forms of political expression.

Another Warrant Could Follow

The rapid withdrawal of Monday’s warrant means Stein avoided being taken into custody for missing the hearing.

That does not resolve the underlying trespassing and assault charges or eliminate the court’s concern about her initial absence.

Stein’s attorney was able to correct the immediate problem by appearing later in the day, but the judge has now given both the defense and the former presidential candidate a clear warning.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14 in St. Louis. If Stein fails to appear in person, Johnson has indicated that another arrest warrant will be issued.