However You Spell It

Just for the record, I prefer my seasoned sausage meat to be spelled B-o-l-o-g-n-a, but that's neither here nor there. The important thing to learn with this bit of news is that there is now legal precedent to throw your bologna (or baloney) sandwich at the deputy of your choice with no legal repercussions*.

* You may want to check with your lawyer before the throwing is performed.

Not Guilty of Assault by Baloney Sandwich

Apr 26, 2005 7:01 am US/Eastern
RIVERHEAD, Long Island -- A 47-year-old Amityville, Long Island man who was in custody has been cleared of assaulting a deputy sheriff with a baloney sandwich. The Suffolk District Attorney says the jury did find Frank Barnett guilty of obstructing governmental administration, a misdemeanor.

The D-A says it happened on April Eighth when Barnett was at the district court in Central Islip for an appearance. During a lunch break he allegedly threw his baloney sandwich at Deputy Robert Etheridge.

During the ensuing scuffle, Etheridge told the jury he suffered a back injury that kept him off the job for a month.

However, after two hours of deliberations yesterday the Suffolk jury convicted Barnett of the misdemeanor obstruction charge, and found him innocent of assault.