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May 4th Activists On Trial
by patrick, cleveland imc volunteer
Thursday June 19, 2003 at 04:57 PM
Compilation of news reports and email updates concerning the trials of those arrested at Kent State demonstrating against war in Iraq. By cleveland indymedia and others.
May 4th Activists on Trial
Trials of anti-war demonstrators begin in Kent
On May 4th, 2003, several hundred people converged on Kent and the campus of Kent State University in oppostion to the US wars of aggression and the bloody Invasion of Iraq. Some attended the Comemmoration of the students killed at KSU in 1970, and others participated in a rally and march. Demonstrators were angered by the revocation of permits for the march and rally, because of pressure from Police and University staff. The actions went ahead anyway, and police eventually arrested 14 demonstrators during a confrontation near Main St. on the KSU campus. Everyone has plead Not Guilty to their charges, trials have begun and are set to continue...
Art McKoy found Not Guilty
Art McCoy, a Cleveland activist and invited speaker at the rally, was arrested on May 4 and stood trial charged with Disorderly Conduct. He was found Not Gulity by a jury of 8 people on June 17.
Two down, 11 to go. - by sue
All Out For Art - Report of trial Day 1 - by Don Bryant
The trial of Art McCoy, invited speaker and fellow demonstrator at the May 4th Kent State Commemoration, began today, June 16 and continues tomorrow, 6/17, 9am, at Portage County Municipal Court, 214 S. Water St, Kent Ohio. Supportors are welcome to respectfully witness the trial at this time.
The trial was presided over by visiting Judge Dickerson. Jury of nine (one alternate) was picked today, City prosecutor Fink called all of his witness list today. Witnesses included Kent police chief, other officers and some citizens who claimed to be detained by the police blockade on Main Street.
The defense team, attorneys William Whitaker and Nancy Grim will call witnesses on Tuesday, June 16. They were successful in limiting use of evidence from other demonstrations, such as San Francisco.
It was determined that the Kent police strategy was to "arrest leaders". It was also established that the demonstration had "lawful purpose". Some officers admitted that the order to disburse was, at times, not distinquishable from the noise from heliocopter and protest chants and drumming.
Art's daughter, a high school sophmore, was at the trial in support of her father. Two others of us were also in the hearing room. I cannot be there on Tuesday and hope that others will make a big effort to be at the trial.
Take 480 east to Rt 14 follow signs to Kent, you'll wind up on Rt.43 south ; go to 214 S. Water St.
In just peace,
Don Bryant
Update on Trail Outcome - by ?
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The trial of Art McCoy, arrested May 4, 2003 on the campus of Kent State, ended today with verdict of NOT GUILTY. After the verdict, Jurors explained that they concluded that he did not impede anyone's ability to travel in a public road because the police blocked the road. Also, jurors recognized that that the prosecutor failed to prove that the defendant was "not engaged in an otherwise lawful activity" - because he was engaged in the lawful activity of political expression.
C-imc Radio Hour coverage - the trial was featured on Cleveland IMC Radio Hour on WRUW-FM 91.1, and included post-trial interviews with the defense attorneys.
Trials continue
Four trials were set to be held this week, the Trial of Troy Gregorino started June 18 and continued today. The other trials will be postponed until a later date.
Please post updates to our open publishing newswire as you have them.
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