Arizona lawmaker gets immunity in altercation. His beat up girlfriend goes to jail

[NNN0LHI]

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/02/27/arizona.senator.incident/

From Leslie Tripp, CNN
February 27, 2011 -- Updated 2108 GMT (0508 HKT)

(CNN) -- An Arizona state senator involved in an apparent freeway-shoulder scuffle with his girlfriend was not detained because he has immunity from arrest while the legislature is in session, police said.

Officers in Phoenix who were called to investigate a reported altercation found that both Sen. Scott Bundgaard and his girlfriend, Aubry Ballard, had marks suggesting a physical dispute, police spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.

Bundgaard, a Republican and the state senate's majority leader, was allowed to go -- although prosecutors will review the case and could later file charges, Thompson said. Ballard was arrested on suspcion of misdemeanor assault and taken to jail.

[ejpoeta]

1. just another example of the two americas.... the connected guy gets off while his girlfriend

who he probably beat up and was defending herself goes to jail.

[Bandit]

5. Amazing how some automatically take the womans side without any evidence what-so-ever.

IMO considering where this took place, on the shoulder of the highway, I think they were drinking and the gal started something possibly, physically and he pulled over to deal with it. Just my take but it has as much bearing as yours does...I believe he was defending himself and I believe the police also feel that way..

[The Magistrate]

7. He Is A Republican Legislative Leader in Arizona, Sir: He Is Guilty

There is no end to his vicious crimes....

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. I'd prefer they bust him for that. n/t

[The Magistrate]

10. It Certainly Ought To Be A Crime, Sir....

[ejpoeta]

8. they should have BOTH been arrested if they both had evidence of scratches or bruising on them.

of course it must be her though.... you are right, it could have been either of them. but they both had marks on them. they should have BOTH been arrested.

[Pithlet]

12. Well, there is the fact that when the police came onto the scene

He was seen trying to pull her out of the car on her knees. I don't know how that's evidence that anyone is "automatically taking the woman's side" I'd say that sounds an awful lot like he was indeed beating her.

[Turbineguy]

2. Glad things are still normal in Arizona

I was beginning to worry with that foreclosure bill and all.

[blueamy66]

3. Another reason to be ashamed of my state.

She gets arrested but the guy doens't?

Effed up!

[WingDinger]

4. Unless you break quorum, obviously.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. That law is common in many states and on the Federal level

Far from unique to AZ despite the obvious spin to make it seem that way

[speltwon]

11. Exactly. But it's cause for outrage, regardless that the facts suggest otherwise.

Like the article said, he can still be charged, he just could not be summarily custodially arrested. It has NOTHING to do with gender. If she was the congressperson and he wasn't, the situation would be reversed.

[Pithlet]

13. What spin?

Does this happen on a regular basis, and makes the news in all other states and was previously ignored simply so that if and when it does happen in AZ it could be "spun that way"? Or could it be this is indeed newsworthy. Hmmm. Which is more likely?

[HEyHEY]

14. This kind of shit happens all the time....... here in China

It's not supposed to happen there in the USA