Talk:Matt Gurtler

Arrest

User:Chasie19 suggested on WP:BLP/N [1] that the arrest should be removed. First, IMO as a state legislator, in WP:BLPCRIME terms, I think he's clearly a public figure and you can't say he's relatively unknown. Still if the charges were just dropped point blank, I would probably support this. The problem is as our article and the sources say, this isn't what happened. He completed pre-trial diversion and paid $250. Gurtler claims that the charge was dropped after he requested a jury trial but how this fits into what he did is unclear. [2] [3] I know nothing about the specifics in Georgia or Lumpkin County or whatever jurisdiction Gurtler's charge came under, but stuff like diversion is often an alternative to a conviction and it's often offered if certain conditions are met and without needing to "requesting a jury trial". It also often shouldn't take 4 years since part of the purpose is often to allow everyone to move on quickly. I think accepting diversion may also imply accepting some version of events, although not necessarily that it was a crime. Since it's only Gurtler who even mention the "requesting a jury trial", it's IMO irrelevant. Frankly if we were going to mention more details, we should also consider mentioning that Gurtler was making a big deal over who he was connected to during the arrest which sources covering this seem to emphasise. I think we should just keep this short like it is now. I'd also note that given his young age, it isn't particular long since the arrest, and even more recent that the charges were dropped. Nil Einne (talk) 17:21, 20 April 2020 (UTC)

I generally agree with this analysis, and think the current text (two well-sourced sentences that set forth the facts straightforwardly) is proper weight. This is comparable to our treatment of the DUI in Beto O’Rourke’s bio. Neutrality^talk 19:06, 20 April 2020 (UTC)