SUPERIOR, Mont. — A man is facing an assault charge after Montana authorities say someone saw him throw a 13-year-old boy to the ground because the teenager didn’t remove his hat when the national anthem was played at a rodeo.
The boy was taken to a hospital in Spokane, Washington, but details about his condition were not released.
Court documents say a man accused of assaulting boy told a sheriff’s deputy that the boy cursed at him when he asked the teen to take off his hat.
The document filed by Mineral County Attorney Ellen Donohue charges 39-year-old Curt James Brockway of Superior, Montana, with assault on a minor.
It says Brockway told the deputy he asked the boy to take off his hat out of respect for the national anthem. It says that when the boy cursed at him, Brockway grabbed the boy by the throat, lifted him into the air and slammed him to the ground.
The boy was bleeding from his ears and was flown to a hospital in Spokane, Washington, for a possible concussion and fractured skull.
The witness, Taylor Hennick, told the Missoulian she was at the rodeo on Saturday when she heard a “pop” and saw the boy on the ground, bleeding from his ears. The assailant justified his actions by saying the boy “was disrespecting the national anthem so he had every right to do that,” Hennick said.
Mr. Brockway of Superior, Montana, made an initial court appearance Monday. Prosecutors recommended his bail be set at $100,000. Court officials said Brockway’s attorney was working Tuesday to recommend conditions that might allow Brockway be released without posting bond.
Brockway is a registered violent offender after being convicted of a 2010 charge of assault with a weapon. District Judge John Larson gave him a 10-year suspended sentence. Brockway is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 14, when he’ll be asked to enter a plea.
Brockway’s attorney, Lance Jasper, was not in the office Tuesday and did not immediately return a phone call or an email seeking comment.
Conduct during the playing of the national anthem has been an issue in recent years, with some NFL players kneeling to protest police brutality. President Donald Trump once called for NFL owners to fire players who kneel or engage in other acts of protest during the anthem.
The U.S. flag code says people should face the flag during the national anthem. Military members in uniform should salute while those out of uniform may do so. Men not in uniform should remove their hats and civilians should put their right hand over their heart, according to the code.
There was no indication the boy in this case was protesting in any way.
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