In a case that has captured local attention, Leah Grady, a 24-year-old, was found guilty of resisting an officer during a Jacksonville City Council meeting. The situation arose after authorities claimed that a group was causing disruptions, leading to Grady’s subsequent arrest and conviction.
On Wednesday, the jury delivered its verdict, convicting Grady on two charges: resisting an officer without violence, classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, and resisting a police officer under a city ordinance. Both charges trace back to an event that unfolded on May 27, 2025, when tensions flared during a city council session.
The incident began when the council’s leadership called upon law enforcement to manage what they described as a disruptive group during the meeting. Although some individuals complied with requests to exit the premises, Grady and a few others chose to stay, prompting further police action.
Testimonies during the trial included statements from a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer, who also serves as the sergeant-at-arms for the City Council. He recounted his involvement in Grady’s arrest, working alongside another officer to restore order in the meeting room.
According to testimony, council leadership requested officers remove individuals they say were interrupting the meeting. Officials said some people complied and left, while others — including Grady — refused.
During the trial, a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer who serves as sergeant-at-arms for City Council testified he assisted in making the arrest, with help from another officer.
Jurors also heard from a city council staff secretary, who explained the rules for public comment and the process for handling disruptions, including who has the authority to order someone removed.
Grady did not testify in her defense.
It is not immediately clear when she will be sentenced.
