Nydia Tisdale acquitted of felony charge, guilty of misdemeanor obstruction

11/30/2017, Dawsonville, GA, - Nydia Tisdale becomes emotional while evidence is presented during a trial at the Dawson Superior Court, Thursday, November 30, 2017. The trial involves Nydia Tisdale, a woman that was arrested at a Republican Party function in 2014 as she tried to videotape. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

11/30/2017, Dawsonville, GA, - Nydia Tisdale becomes emotional while evidence is presented during a trial at the Dawson Superior Court, Thursday, November 30, 2017. The trial involves Nydia Tisdale, a woman that was arrested at a Republican Party function in 2014 as she tried to videotape. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

A North Georgia jury on Monday acquitted a citizen journalist of the most serious charges related to her 2014 arrest after filming a Republican rally at a pumpkin farm. But Nydia Tisdale was found guilty of misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

The Dawson County jury deliberated for about 3 ½ hours before announcing its decision. Tisdale, 54, will be sentenced Dec. 18.

The case gained widespread attention after Tisdale's video of her arrest surfaced. The case ensnared some of the state's top GOP officials, including Gov. Nathan Deal and former Attorney General Sam Olens.

Tisdale had argued one of the owners of Burt’s Pumpkin Farm had given her permission to film the candidates’ speeches but was, nevertheless, hauled from the rally by a sheriffs’ captain who pinned her against a counter as he arrested her.  Prosecutors contended she ignored three requests to stop filming and fought the officer.

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