PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

legal update
by Evan Friday, Mar. 21, 2003 at 6:17 PM

Update from the Municipal Courthouse, March 21, 2003 6pm.

(transcribed over the phone, apologies for any mistakes)

* Only ~25 out of ~125 have been released as of this evening.

* Some have had bail set at $125 but have not been allowed to post bail until they are entered into the computer system. others have been released on their own recognizance (ROR'ed). the court of common pleas has issued an order stating that the defendents are to be released and given a summons for a trial date (under rule 518) if they are residents of Pennsylvania -- some are having a hard time proving that they are residents. This may be applied retroactively to the defendents who have had bail set, maybe not. Activists affiliated with the Thomas Merton Center have been planning on setting up a fund for bail money.

* Arraignments will resume this evening from 6 to 8pm with a new judge. though it is possible that some may be released with a summons instead of an arraignment.

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i shot a man in reno just to watch him die
by johnny cash Friday, Mar. 21, 2003 at 10:19 PM

hi,

yeah, i was released this evening (friday) at about 6:00 with a summons. however, the summons states that the date of my preliminary hearing has been set for...yesterday, march 20 at 1:00 pm...before the march even started. so, i hadnt even been arrested by that point. i'm confused.

oh, and i would like to extend a very very warm "thank you" to all who participated in the jail solidarity protests. we heard about those while we were detained. you really lifted our spirits. and thanks as well for the food and cigarettes upon our release.

love.the man in black.xoxoxo

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solidarity
by Evan N Friday, Mar. 21, 2003 at 10:30 PM

I stopped down at the courthouse tonight at 10 to drop off a pack of bottled water just ause it was all i could find around here that wasnt half eaten and didnt have time to hit up the grocery store. There were probably about 20-30 people there and they are merry and playing "operation" that board game thing. They looked cozy in blankets and stuff but i am sure they could appriciate more. I'm planning on coming early tommorw and spending the day there, if they are still going to be holding people in the courthouse. will teh solidarity group still be there saturday morning? if tyhey are, i will come and bring food and junk. please let me know if they wil lstill be there, or if peopel will still be in jail

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Update
by Evan W. Friday, Mar. 21, 2003 at 11:13 PM

The prelim hearing date is the same one for which everyone is scheduled -- March 28. I assume the M20 was a typo. Cops finally forced me out of the building.

Keep in mind, part of the condition of release is that defendants will not leave the county or move without informing the court. So don't get caught with your pants down in Westmoreland if you reside in Allegheny, ok?

My understanding is that the order of court will not be applied retroactively because

1) the judge did not seem amenable to that ;)

2) the order may have been issued after the arraignments setting bond amounts

3) the warden may have decided not to make a determination on those individuals (which the court order empowered him to do for the others, at least)

I heard that 24 people were arraigned and had to post bond. That's $100 + $25 for a lot of folks! Ouch!

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