No charges filed in Lampson heckling case

The grand jury this week declined to charge any individuals for allegedly assaulting an elderly Richmond woman at an April press conference that resulted in a shouting match between Democratic and Republican activists.

The woman, Democratic activist Marsha Rovai, was attending a press conference held by Congressional District 22 Democratic candidate Nick Lampson in the Sugar Land Town Square on April 6.

In the midst of the conference, a group of Republican supporters of former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay approached the Lampson supporters and inserted themselves into the press conference. Participants say shouting from both sides ensued, as the pro-DeLay activists walked among the crowd and disrupted the event.

Rovai on Wednesday said she was disappointed that no charges were filed. She claims that two men assaulted her by grabbing her on the wrist and by grabbing her hat and pushing it down onto her face.

"I feel very disappointed. I was hoping that the legal system would at least be fair to Democrats," she said.

District Attorney John Healey said the case was presented to the grand jury by Assistant District Attorney Felipe Rendon, with assistance from himself and First Assistant District Attorney Fred Felcman. Also there was a Sugar Land detective.

"I'm confident that a fair and direct presentation of the facts ocurred in this matter," he said.