After being acquitted of trespassing charges at the March 17 St. Charles County Republican Caucus, Brent Stafford said he felt vindicated, but sorry he had to go through the trial to begin with.

“It was not my actions that put me in this position,” said Stafford, a St. Charles County Republican Committee member. “It was the actions of Eugene Dokes and Bryan Spencer that put me in this position. They didn’t follow the rules.”

Stafford blames Dokes, St. Charles County Republican Central Committee chairman, and Spencer, a former committee member, with trying to control the caucus’ outcome and prevent a large group of Ron Paul supporters from controlling the meeting.

Dokes had said he was trying to be fair to all those who came to the caucus to ensure everyone's vote counted.

Stafford’s attorney, David Roland of the Freedom Center of Missouri, thanked a group of supporters outside the St. Peters Justice Center and said the court battle may have just begun.

“This issue has not been finally resolved. He’s just been vindicated,” Roland said. “Now that we’ve established that he was wrongfully arrested, Brent Stafford has the right to file a lawsuit for violating his constitutional rights in being arrested.”

Roland, in replying to questions, said the city of St. Peters would likely be a defendant in such a lawsuit, but would not speculate on others.

Lisa Bedian, a spokesperson for the city of St. Peters, said city officials could not comment on a potential lawsuit.

Dokes, present at the trial because he could have been called as a witness, said he was happy for Stafford.

“I’m glad that if he felt like his rights were violated, then I’m glad he won,” Dokes said following the trial.

“His arrest had absolutely nothing to do with the Central Committee,” Dokes said. “We just wanted the caucus to run well. I was surprised to find out afterwards that he had been arrested.”

For more information on the issue, see the following articles:

• Ron Paul Campaign Leader Pleads Not Guilty to Caucus Trespassing Charge
• Ron Paul Supporters, St. Charles County GOP Chairman Scuffle Before Trespassing Trial
• Judge: Stafford Not Guilty of Trespassing After Republican Caucus
• Ron Paul Sweeps St. Charles County Caucus Redo
• Ron Paul Supporters Say St. Charles County Caucus Organizers Flouted Rules
• Two People Arrested at Francis Howell North High School Caucus