Jury Rules Jennifer Watson Guilty Of Reckless Driving But Not Assault After Striking Capitol Protester

DENVER, Colo. (CBS4) -- A woman whose vehicle struck a protester near the Colorado State Capitol in May 2020 was found guilty of reckless driving by a Denver jury.

That same jury acquitted her of assault.

A spokesperson from the Denver District Attorney's Office confirmed Friday's verdict.

Jennifer Watson was driving a black SUV northbound on Broadway and came upon a group of Justice for George Floyd protesters occupying all lanes of Broadway in front of the Capitol.

Video showed one person standing in front of her car and refusing to move. Another person jumped on her hood briefly.

As Watson tried to escape the fracas, she turned her vehicle toward one man and hit him.

That man, Max Bailey, was not badly injured. He spoke to CBS4. 

Watson is scheduled to be sentenced August 2.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that Watson was in her late teenage years. Her age at the time of her arrest was actually her late 30s.