Denver student could face jail time for attempted Mitt Romney "glitter bomb"

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Mitt Romney is seen getting glitter tossed at him at right and the person who threw the glitter is forced out of the crowd at left.

(Credit: CBS Denver)

(CBS/AP) DENVER - A 20-year-old college student faces up to a year in prison after police say he tried to throw glitter on Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney as the candidate greeted supporters in Denver following Colorado's caucuses on Tuesday.

Denver police said Wednesday that they charged Peter Smith, a student at the University of Colorado-Denver, with causing a disturbance, throwing a missile and unlawful acts.

According to CBS Denver, Smith faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted in the "glitter bombing," which has been used by some activists to protest a politician's opposition to same-sex marriage.

Security pulled Romney back from the crowd and Smith was immediately whisked away Tuesday night.

According to CBS Denver, Romney didn't appear to get much glitter on his outfit. Smith was held by police for 5 hours in handcuffs.

"I am not sorry that this has caused some publicity and embarrassment for him; no not at all," Smith told CBS Denver. "The people of Colorado are not going to stand by and watch the country be turned over into the hands of Mitt Romney."

Denver police say the action is a threat, no matter what object or substance is thrown.

"You can say what you want to say, but you cannot physically put something on someone or assault them with something. That is not within your rights," Sonny Jackson with Denver police said, according to CBS Denver.

Smith is reportedly due back in court on March 7.

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by cbsblogger February 12, 2012 4:07 PM EST: If the government only protected we the people as diligently from the banksters who committed grand theft on a massive scale, by fraudulently forclosing and stealing their homes, as they do to keep politicians from be confetti-ed with glitter. The disparate treatment of average joes and society in general from the handling of the elite needs some public outrage.; Reply to this comment


by Ceres6 February 10, 2012 11:49 AM EST: I wonder if the $42 millions Mr. Romney made in the last 12 months are enough to pay for removing the few particles of glitter the air deposited on his expensive suit. I also hope his delicate epidermis was not damaged as a result of the collsion with the particles.; Reply to this comment


by wordwrkr February 9, 2012 9:03 PM EST: Oh, good grief. This country is turning into a bunch of whiners. Thin-skinned doesn't begin to describe what we've become. Waaaaah! He threw glitter on me! Toss his buns in jail for a year, at the taxpayer's expense! Nobody was hurt, no property was damaged. Waaaah! I'm offended! He hurt my feelings! Incarcerate the SOB!; Reply to this comment


by IEtOut February 9, 2012 8:45 PM EST: Anyone else would have laughed it off.; Reply to this comment

by teamscon February 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST

You little liberals need to grow a brain. What gives this punk the right to throw glitter at Romney? It doesnt matter if he dislikes him .. He invaded his space and should get the full sentence. What would happen if Obama was glitter bombed? I would bet it would be a long time before that person was seen or heard from again. You wanna talk about a police state ... Look at Obamas policies. Hes killing our great country to reform it into something else. You liberals wanna see pain .. Vote for Obama again.

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by wordwrkr February 9, 2012 9:06 PM EST: Let me get this straight. We "liberals" don't want to incarcerate the guy, at great expense to society, but you presumably "conservative" want to do just that? Then YOU pay for his incarceration, personally, out of your own checking account. Republicans are crazy, pure and simple.


by Ceres6 February 10, 2012 11:56 AM EST: Your comment makes me believe that you are probably a reincarnation of someone who lived through the Spanish Inquisition.


by sbchadw February 9, 2012 4:22 PM EST: College student goes to jail for infringing on Mitt Romney's right to a clean suit. Mitt Romney becomes presidential candidate for infringing on same-sex couples' right to marriage.; Reply to this comment


by dragontats February 9, 2012 1:38 PM EST: Dear Sonny Jackson,

You are an idiot.

Sincerely,
Kevin; Reply to this comment


by nadelio February 9, 2012 1:30 PM EST: Romney is stupid not to use this episode to his advantage. He should step out and say he forgives the dude, something like that. Gingrich would have been much smarter; I can see him claim that his admirers "glamorized" him or even something more advanced.
Romney the victim... Pitiful.; Reply to this comment

by kimberlym5 February 9, 2012 1:18 PM EST

Sounds like jail time would be a good lesson for him. He said he is not sorry, he needs to learn boundaries, which do not include throwing a pie, glitter, a shoe or anything else at anyone. Some people need to learn the hard way.

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by dragontats February 9, 2012 1:42 PM EST: We are talking about jail time for throwing glitter. What is wrong with you? Right, wrong, or otherwise, even the threat of jail time for throwing glitter is entirely too "police state" for me. You people who support this are sick and twisted. Try smoking a joint and getting laid, maybe your world outlook will improve. Sheesh.


by mb99 February 9, 2012 12:48 PM EST: Just another sign that we are rapidly becoming a "police state" in this country. Law enforcement has been on a rampage since 9/11... slowly but surely turning us into a police state.; Reply to this comment