BENTONVILLE, AR – Two young women are in custody without bond, accused of vandalizing a memorial for conservative figure Charlie Kirk near the Benton County Courthouse. The sisters, aged 22 and 23, are facing misdemeanor charges, with a bond hearing scheduled for this Friday.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred after a large candlelight vigil in Bentonville, which saw over a thousand attendees gathering to honor Kirk. The situation escalated the next day when the memorial was reportedly damaged.
The Benton County Justice of the Peace, Joshua Bollinger, has spoken out against the act, emphasizing that while protest is a form of free speech, vandalism crosses a line. A video of the incident, shared anonymously with Bollinger, has been viewed extensively across social media platforms.
Bollinger condemned the act as not reflective of the community’s values, stating that it disrespected both the memory of Kirk and the local community’s principles. The incident has left a significant impact on Benton County residents.
Arrested on Wednesday by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the sisters, Kerri and Kaylee Rollo, are charged with first-degree criminal mischief for allegedly damaging property worth less than $1,000.
The forthcoming bond hearings, to be held at the Benton County Detention Center, will see a judge decide on the sisters’ potential release. The prosecutor has noted that the judge’s ruling will be critical in the case’s progression.