Bob Lee's Bigtop: Preliminary Hearing for Four Falsely Charged With Felonies

The comments made here are mine alone and don't represent either the Santa Cruz Eleven nor supporters of the Santa Cruz Eleven. Any additions and corrections are welcome.

TURNING UP THE HEAT ON THE WHISTLEBLOWERS
Santa Cruz District Attorney Bob Lee is ramping up his campaign against Occupy Santa Cruz and related community activists. See "DA Bob Lee asks the public to turn in friends, neighbors, and family members" at http://www.beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2012/04/da-bob-lee-asks-public-to-turn-in.html

His subordinate D.A. Rebekah Young seems to be stalling the release of videos and documents, some of which Lee posted on his own website before giving them to the defense in search apparently of more witnesses and victims to haul in for "protest conspiracy". (See "Latest News Updates" for 4-10 at http://datinternet.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ )

Angel, Grant, Cameron, and Ed will be appearing in court with their attorneys to challenge prosecutor Rebekah Young's "conspiracy" case against the 4.

They are charged with felony conspiracy to trespass, felony vandalism, and two misdemeanor trespass charges for a peaceful protest last November at the vacant Wells Fargo-leased bank building, previously the Coast Commercial Bank.

MASSIVE OVERCHARGING
Many consider these massive overcharging, perhaps to "send a message" to Occupy Santa Cruz and other protesters to avoid any future high-profile protests that challenge the large banks or involve occupying buildings.

The Good Times recently published a lengthy story by observer John Malkin at http://www.goodtimessantacruz.com/index.php/good-times-cover-stories/3686-occupy-santa-cruz.html More articles are referenced at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/12/18711165.php

WELLS FARGO--UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATOR
Wells Fargo continues to be the center of controversy for its abusive mortgage practices (robosignatures), burgeoning profits while foreclosing on many without compensation, and other abusive bankster practices. A protest is reportedly slated for their shareholders meeting up in San Francisco Tuesday. See http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/10/18711080.php and http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/09/18711018.php .

The local ACLU (usually a do-nothing organization on local civil liberties case) under the leadership of Steve Pleich has issued a statement expressing serious reservations about the prosecution and urging a rare amicus brief be filed on behalf of all 11 defendants: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/14/18711326.php .

An on-line petition of support can be signed at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/549/146/902/11-people-are-facing-2-felonies-each-sign-the-aclus-statement-of-support/

Several down loadable fliers give some background on the case at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/17/18711497.php .

HOLDING BACK ON THE EVIDENCE
The prosecution only released its many hours of video yesterday (Friday 4-20) at a readiness hearing, after repeated broken promises to provide the evidence. It's not clear that all of it has been released as required by law. Some of the attorneys had only met with their attorneys once or not at all.

Three of the Santa Cruz Eleven were successful in delaying their Preliminary Hearing until May 29th (readiness: May 25th) combining it with my and Becky Johnson's hearing. That hearing will probably be heard by Judge Sillman who heard the hearing of Bradley and Alex.

SANTA CRUZ COPS AND PROSECUTORS WORSE THAN ELSEWHERE
More recent occupations in other cities have resulted in far less repressive police and prosecution--see, for instance, "Occupy SF Liberates Vacant Building to Establish Social Center" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/05/18710844.php

Prosecutor Young predicted Monday's Preliminary Hearing would only take 3 hours, but a previous hearing that she stumbled through took 3 days (See "Two Courts Cream the Constitution..." at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/12/18711165.php)

WHAT IT IS
A Preliminary Hearing is where the prosecution is supposed to present sufficient evidence in felony cases to persuade a judge to let the case continue. In Santa Cruz, it seems this isn't much. And even when a judge dismisses some of the charges (as Sillman did the "felony vandalism" and "conspiracy to commit vandalism" against Alex and Bradley), the D.A.'s office announces it will simply refile them.

Come on down Monday and Support the Defendants !

Sign the on-line Petition!

Check out http://www.santacruzeleven.org .

BUST THE BANKSTERS NOT THE WHISTLEBLOWEERS !