E-mail: press@rnc8.org
ST. PAUL, Minnesota -- Following their October 8, 2009 hearing before Judge Teresa R. Warner, the RNC 8 received word today that they will face a single joint trial, not the eight or three separate trials favored by the office of Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner. The defendants were preemptively arrested before the Republican National Convention began last year, following many months of police infiltration and surveillance of their group, the RNC Welcoming Committee, which helped organize lodging, food, and medical and legal aid for those protesting the convention.
"This is an affirmation from Judge Warner of what we've argued all along: that separation for trial would have undermined the interest of justice in this case," says co-defendant Luce Guillen-Givins. "Our best defense comes through standing in solidarity with each other, both inside and outside of the courtroom."
Because the eight Minneapolis activists all face the same charges-conspiracy to riot and conspiracy to commit property damage, stemming from their organizing of protests against the 2008 RNC-they and their attorneys argued for a consolidated trial of all eight defendants. They say a consolidated trial will be the most cost- and time-efficient given the nearly identical evidence for all defendants. They also wish to stand together as a show of solidarity against the political prosecution. Indeed, Judge Warner noted in her ruling that "no specific individual or entity is enumerated as a victim in the complaint."
"Judge Warner correctly saw through the efforts by the government to hold multiple trials in hopes of a conviction," says Bob Kolstad, attorney for co-defendant Nathanael Secor. "We believe it is the best possible use of resources for not only the defendants but also for the taxpayers who are footing the bill for the trial and prosecution."
In another motion argued on October 8, the RNC 8 requested that the State disclose more evidence regarding their investigation, including evidence about confidential informants. Some requests were granted-notably, information about criminal charges faced by the informants-but others were denied. Another motion about disclosure of evidence on the many personal computers seized by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office prior to the RNC, requesting the data be provided in an accessible format, was denied.
The next court date for the RNC 8 is still unknown but will be announced in a future release. However, the RNC 8 and RNC 8 Defense Committee continue to hold events every month, including a craft sale from 10am-5pm on December 12th and a Free Harvest Feast on December 15th from 6-8 p.m. at the Walker Community Church, 3104 16th Ave. S. in Minneapolis.
Rulings:
http://rnc8.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/rnc8-oct8rulings-consolidation.pdf
Court report from October 8 hearing:
http://rnc8.org/2009/10/court-report-from-october-8-hearing/
Motion to support consolidation of trial for all eight defendants:
http://rnc8.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/joinder-memo.pdf
Motion to compel information regarding confidential informants:
http://rnc8.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sup-exbt-compel-informants.pdf
Motion to compel computer evidence:
http://rnc8.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/mtn-computer-evidence.pdf
State's Motion for an amended complaint:
http://rnc8.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/motionofamendedcomplaint.pdf
Background on the RNC 8 case:
The RNC 8's case continues to highlight the problematic prosecution of dissent by the State. In the interim, on April 8, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner dismissed "terrorism" counts against the RNC 8. The eight defendants still face felony charges of conspiracy to commit riot in the 2nd degree and conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property in the 1st degree.
The RNC 8 were preemptively arrested in a series of raids by heavily armed SWAT teams on the weekend before the Republican National Convention convened in St. Paul, Sept. 1-4, 2008. The criminal complaints are based on the allegations of "CRIs" (confidential reliable informants) and an undercover Ramsey County Sheriff's deputy, who infiltrated the RNC Welcoming Committee and conducted surveillance on the political activists more than nine months before the Republicans met in St. Paul.
The continued prosecution of the RNC 8 represents the government's attempt to criminalize dissent and scapegoat a group of dedicated political organizers for an over-the-top security regime that turned St. Paul into a police state for the week of the Republican convention.
The RNC 8 may be available for media interviews and all inquiries and requests can be sent to the contact information above.
For more information, go to: RNC8.org
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