Harassment Jury Trial of Donna Deiss for "Resisting Arrest"

Elderly disabled activist Donna Deiss goes to trial for "resisting arrest" in a trial likely to last several days. Deiss is a short, older woman half the weight of the police sergeant who broke her arm and then charged her with "resisting arrest".

Details on the false arrest can be found in earlier stories:

"60 Year Old Homeless Wolman Says Police Broke Her Arm"
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/05/10/18498341.php

and

"Sgt. LeMoss #114 Santa Cruz PD breaks arm of 60 year old disabled woman without cause"
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/05/14/18499096.php

Meanwhile, LeMoss, the sergeant who broke Deiss's arm, is still rolling merrily along on the police force. The trial, in my opinion, is a cover so the city can try to avoid liability for his assault on Deiss under color of law.'

The trial is likely to last several days at least. Jury selection will begin Monday and likely be concluded by early afternoon. Attorney Ben Rice has volunteered to defend her pro bono (without charge).

Judge Ariadne Symons is a former D.A. who was twice ruled unqualified to be a judge by the Commission on Judicial Performance.

Donna has reportedly been offered a deal if she rolls over and agrees not to sue the City, but she has refused, feeling it's a matter of community importance that there be some check against police violence.

Some of Donna's earlier activist work was with the Tenants Union of Santa Cruz (TRUSC) and more recently defending the rights of vehicularly-housed people.

"Long-Time Santa Cruz Tenant and Homeless Activist Explains the City Hall Sleep-Out"
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/08/21/18442047.php

"Harassment of Homeless in RVs, a Letter from Donna Deiss"
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/08/18452903.php

There were also numerous radio interviews of Deiss and her witnesses, which can be found by going to http://www.huffsantacruz.org, clicking on " Descriptions of Bathrobespierre's Broadsides radio shows...", and then searching for "Deiss". The audio files can be downloaded.

Or you can come to the trial and watch the D.A. spend public money covering for their pals in the PD.