The RNC 8, from left, Rob Czernik, 24; Erik Oseland, 21; Monica Bicking, 23; Eryn Trimmer, 23; Luce Guillen-Givins,24; Garrett Fitzgerald, 25; Nathanael Secor, 26, and Max Specktor, 19. (Photo: Handout)
The RNC 8 are Max Specktor (personal care assistant and student), Nathanael Secor (preschool teacher), Garrett Fitzgerald (preschool teacher), Monica Bicking (nanny), Robert Czernik (chef), Erik Oseland (musician), Eryn Trimmer (handyman), and Luce Guillen Givins (service industry).
All were members of the approximately 50-strong "RNC Welcoming Committee", a self-described "anti-authoritarian/anarchist" organizing body, and were preemptively arrested in August 2008 prior to the Republican National Convention.
Initially charged with Conspiracy to Riot in the Second Degree in Furtherance of Terrorism under the Minnesota PATRIOT Act, three more charges were added in mid December 2008:
Conspiracy to Riot in the Second Degree
Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Damage to Property in Furtherance of Terrorism
It was estimated that the eight collectively faced over 100 years in jail under the four charges.
Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
It was initially expected that the trial will commence no sooner than Fall 2009. At the start of 2010, new trial date estimates were put around May/June 2010.
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