Peter Smith, a 20-year-old student at the University of Colorado, could face 6 months in prison for attempting to throw a glitter “missile” at presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Mr. Smith, who told Reuters he was protesting Romney’s “general political philosophy” as much as the candidate’s position on gay marriage, has been charged with several misdemeanors. They include creating a disturbance, committing an “unlawful act” on school property and in legal terms, throwing a missile.
Mr. Smith was in the crowd following the former Massachusetts governor’s speech last Tuesday and allegedly threw the glitter as Mr. Romney worked the crowd. Mr. Romney’s new Secret Service detail quickly hustled the candidate away and Mr. Smith was removed from the auditorium.
Peter Smith was an unpaid intern for the Democratic Colorado State Senate as part of a University program at the time of the incident. Senate leaders were alerted to his arrest and he was let go from the program. In spite of facing a $1000 fine in addition to jail time if he is convicted, Mr. Smith has said he has no regrets, even though video makes it clear that he completely missed Mr. Romney anyway.
