paul | 08.09.2005 21:54

Brief update about yesterdays court date for David and Danae

This is a brief update of yesterday’s court appearance by Grand Jury Resistors, David and Danae.
Approximately 20 supporters attended the trial. David and Danae were allowed to sit with their lawyers (but were strongly discouraged from exchanging pleasantries with supporters). It got off to what seemed to be a good start when Judge Gonzalez stated that a motion had been filed for the defendant’s release, and the prosecutors had not filed an argument. However, when asked if they would like to make an argument, things went down hill. The prosecutor, Cook, said that he does not feel they have been in long enough to “prove that they will not testify” and recommended that the court add a $25 a day fine for each day they refuse to testify.
Jeremy, David’s lawyer argued that this is proof that even the prosecutors understand that incarceration alone is not enough to make them talk, and that 45 days is a long time for someone who can “walk out of prison at any time.”
The Judge then held a sidebar conversation with the prosecutors to discuss the specifics of why they needed the testimony of these two. The Judge then ruled that the sidebar conversation would be sealed.
She said that she felt the state was pursuing a crime in good faith, and was not simply harassing activists or their organizations. The motion was denied, and back to jail they went.
Please keep the letters up, they need our support!