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Trump Won't Face Charges Over Violence At North Carolina Rally

Officials say they don't plan to charge Donald Trump for inciting a riot after a rally in North Carolina turned violent.
Posted at 9:06 AM, Mar 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-15 09:06:00-04

Donald Trump will not face charges for inciting a riot after a campaign rally in North Carolina turned violent last week. 

Video from the rally appears to show a Trump supporter punching a protester in the face as the protester was being escorted out of the event by private security officers.

An attorney for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said it was investigating whether conduct from Trump or his campaign rose to the level of inciting a riot. 

But a statement released by the sheriff's office Tuesday said it doesn't plan to file charges against Trump. 

"I don't accept responsibility. I do not condone violence, I don't condone what he did, but you know what? Not nice on the other side, either," Trump said on "Meet the Press."

After the incident, Trump said he doesn't support violence. But comments he made in the past suggest otherwise.

"So if you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of 'em, would you? Seriously. ... I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise," Trump said at a rally in Iowa. 

John McGraw, the man accused of punching the protester in North Carolina, is facing charges of assault and battery

"Yes, he deserved it. The next time we see him, we might have to kill him," McGraw said. 

Police later charged McGraw with communicating threats after statements about killing the protester surfaced online. 

This video includes a clip from Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., and images from Getty Images.