A Texas attorney is in hot water over the… unique way he chose to express his displeasure over COVID-19 precautions. Eric Yollick is facing a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief for allegedly egging Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough’s car. Though Yollick has entered a plea of not guilty on the charge, he has also given interviews admitting to the egging.
Yollick told the New York Post he egged the judge’s car because he was angry over the COVID-19 stay-at-home order (which he characterizes as “unconstitutional,” because, of course he does), saying, “I threw one egg at Judge Keough’s car. I did this for all the right reasons. Mark needed to get this message because he wasn’t listening to people.” Probably because “people” aren’t virologists, but I digress.
Yollick’s account of the incident tries to play it off as a friendly joke:
“I wasn’t angry or anything,” Yollick said. “It was a humorous gesture between friends: ‘You laid an egg on Montgomery County, so here’s an egg for you.’ ”
Yollick said he then asked a female friend with him to snap a photo before getting paper towels to clean up the mess. Yollick also offered the judge $20 for a car wash, but Keough declined the offer, the attorney said.
Hours later, Yollick said, he went to Keough’s home and the pair hugged, seemingly putting the incident behind them. The pair had been “good friends,” Yollick said, adding that Keough is the pastor at the church he attends.
Yollick also made comments on social media and other forums that were critical of the judge’s order and he says that factors into the charges:
“It’s retribution by Mark Keough because he doesn’t like to be criticized for his lockdown orders,” Yollick said of the charge, punishable by a $150 fine.
Of course, those comments aren’t part of the charge, only the egging.
Judge Keough’s chief of staff of staff, Jason Millsaps, says he witnessed the egging.
“It’s unfortunate that he would go around egging people’s cars, not just the judge’s car, but anyone’s car for that matter,” Millsaps said.
But Millsaps wouldn’t comment further due to the ongoing investigation.
Trial for the misdemeanor is scheduled for October 7th.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).