A contentious incident that transpired at Scribble Hill in Sand City last October is moving its way through the justice system: Max Steiner, who’s based near Chico and who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2022 as a Democrat, was charged Nov. 30 by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office with one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of misdemeanor vandalism.
The incident, which occurred Oct. 12, happened when Steiner, visiting from Chico, was cycling past Scribble Hill and confronted three female Monterey residents of Palestinian descent regarding a “Free Gaza” message they had constructed on the sand dune with plants. (Over the years, the dune has become a popular place to use plants to create temporary graffiti, of sorts.)
In that incident, Steiner allegedly grabbed and threw the cell phone of a 13-year-old girl who had helped write the message and he also allegedly destroyed the scribble on the hill.
Steiner was arraigned in Monterey County Superior Court Jan. 16, and his attorney, Scott Erdbacher, entered not guilty pleas to both counts. (Steiner was not present; defendants are not required to appear during arraignments for misdemeanor charges.)
When reached for comment via email, Steiner responded to say that the Weekly’s initial story about the incident omitted facts, and suggested the Weekly’s editorial department has an anti-Israel bias.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 1 in the Salinas courthouse. Given the trends of the justice system, it seems unlikely it will ever go to trial – Administrative Assistant Nichole Reed says the DA brings about 12,000 cases a year, but only about 100 go to trial.
(4) comments
>>>"Steiner responded to say that the Weekly’s initial story about the incident omitted facts,"
Really? I assume that if he had mentioned one or two of those alleged "facts," MCW would have noted them. I'm betting those "facts" are actually some of the massive lies that Israel has been spewing about Palestinians.
>>>"and suggested the Weekly’s editorial department has an anti-Israel bias."
That's interesting. I didn't see a word in this article that was anti-Israel. Steiner is like Netanyahu. He tries to hide his criminal behavior behind charges of someone being "anti-Israel," or the even worse lie, "anti-semitic." Fortunately, the many Jewish groups, like Jewish Voice for Peace, that are outraged at this slaughter and join in protesting the monstrous genocide, reveal what insidious deception Israel, the Biden administration and the colluding media are bombarding Americans with.
Good for these three Palestinian-Americans who were working to bring awareness of the monstrous genocide in the face of politicians and the corporate media who have joined in the campaign of lies to attempt to excuse this barbaric atrocity by Netanyahu and the far right, racist Zionists.
There is NEVER an excuse for genocide. It is the WORST of all war crimes and the worst of all crimes against humanity. Thank goodness, South Africa and other countries have charged Israel with genocide in the International Court of Justice. All who perpetrate genocide, or support those criminals who wage it, must be punished to the full extent of the law.
I agree with Steiner, any amount of brain power allows one to realize that the video that was released was obviously spliced. I guess not everyone has brain power ;)
It may have been edited, but that in no way shows any bias. Your desperation to excuse the inexcusable is noted.
Hi John,
I think it is important to really focus on what I wrote. Especially the last sentence.
Best,
Joseph
Welcome to the discussion.
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