Trial ordered for suspect in California mayor pie protest

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A man charged with hitting Sacramento, California, Mayor Kevin Johnson in the face with a coconut cream pie has been ordered to stand trial on a charge of assaulting a public official.

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge on Thursday also denied Sean Thompson’s motion to have his felony charge reduced to a misdemeanour.

He also faces a misdemeanour charge of battery on school property when his trial begins Jan. 7.

Attorney Claire White says she’s disappointed her 32-year-old client faces a felony for what she says was “very clearly an act of political speech.”