Overview
- Prosecutors played lengthy video from the 2023 National Workers Alliance event, showing Richardson extend his arm with his palm facing down as the court weighs whether the motion legally constituted a Nazi salute.
- The magistrate ruled an expert may testify on what constitutes a Nazi salute after defense objections to parts of the expert report were rejected.
- Key issues include whether the gesture was a Nazi salute under the statute and whether Richardson knew its meaning, with the defense arguing it was parody or paid theatre.
- Prosecutors say the gesture occurred in a public place and was streamed live on Facebook, while the defense contends Richardson believed he was at a private, ticketed event.
- The case proceeds under Victoria’s 2023 law banning Nazi symbols and gestures, which carries penalties of up to 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine exceeding $23,000 if convicted.