Stomping suspect says his actions were misunderstood; now faces charges
Police have summoned Tim Profitt to appear before a judge to face an assault charge after a scuffle was caught on tape outside the KET Studios in Lexington before Jack Conway and Rand Paul’s debate Monday night.
Today, Profitt says he fears for his safety and has received numerous death threats after others have watched the incident on tape. He says his actions were misunderstood.
‘I feared for his safety,” Profitt explained.
In the video, it appears to some that 23-year-old Lauren Valle is wrestled down to the ground by Rand Paul Supporters and then stomped on.
But to Tim Profitt, the the situation is much different. He says what the video doesn’t show is Valle’s aggressive behavior. Profitt says she rushed Paul’s car three different times; each time refusing to stop.
He says at the time, he didn’t know what she was trying to do.
“We thought she was a danger; we didn’t know what she was doing.”
Profitt explained that he used his foot to try and keep her down because he can’t bend over because of back problems. He also says police were alerted to watch her before Paul arrived because people in the crown recognized her as someone who may try and pull a stunt.
Valle, a Massachusetts native, later identified herself to police as a contract worker for the liberal activist group “moveon.org” who was hoping to get her picture taken with Paul with a sign. The sign was a satirical award that would be used to embarrass him. Profitt says he never meant to harm her.
“if she can hear this… All I was trying to do was hold her until police could get her.”
Profit also says he wished things had never escalated to the level they did.
Valle has worked as an activist for several groups, including Greenpeace and was arrested with 6 others on felony charges in May in Louisiana for defacing a drilling boat following the gulf oil spill.
In August of 2008, a Lauren Valle was also one of 5 members of ‘Students for a Free Tibet’ detained in Beijing, China for unfurling a “Free Tibet” banner in Olympic park.
“I think she was there for a reason… And that was hurt Rand Paul.”
Profitt does face fourth degree assault charges; he says this is the first time in his life he’s ever been on the wrong side of the law.
Over at the fever swamp, they are comparing Valle to Squeaky Fromme and Lizzie Borden, among other dangerous females.