By Jazmine Ulloa
Austin American-Statesman
Originally published Oct. 29, 2014
In likely the most hotly contested misdemeanor trial in Austin’s recent history, a panel of five city jurors on Wednesday handed activist Antonio Buehler a legal victory, deliberating nearly six hours before acquitting him of failing to comply with the order of an officer in a controversial arrest on New Year’s Day 2012.
Buehler, a 37-year-old Army veteran and outspoken founder of the Peaceful Streets Project, had been facing a fine of up $500 for the offense, which stemmed from his refusal to put his arms behind his back as he was told when he started taking pictures and shouting questions at officers he said he believed were assaulting a woman.