Court Update: April 12

PROCEEDINGS UPDATE:

Today, Wednesday April 12th, was the second day of official court proceedings for the Aston Park/sanctuary camp defendants who are currently facing trial on “felony littering” charges. The day focused on administrative proceedings only.

The main outcome of the day was the court’s ruling on the state’s motion to join all four defendants into one trial. The court ruled that the state had not shown sufficient cause to join Nora Watkins or Sarah Norris into a joint trial. Those two will not be tried at this time, but their charges remain (= we don’t know what’s gonna happen).

Jury selection for trial of the other two defendants will begin Thursday morning at 9:30 am. Because there are two defendants, each side will have 12 peremptory challenges for a total of 24, so selection may take a while. No support presence is needed during jury selection.

SUPPORT NEEDS:

If you have been planning to come support in person, please plan to come FRIDAY morning (and thereafter!). Arrive at 9:15 am for 9:30 am start. Wear your t-shirt if you have one/order one here! (we also will have some on hand).

The ask for support is to come and demonstrate community solidarity through your calm, non-reactive presence. Courtroom demeanor will be required by the state, which means not chatting in the courtroom or using phones at all (i.e. no texting). Court runs 9:30a-12:30p and 2p-5p (usually). The state has said it has 3 or 4 days of testimony to put up; after that will come the defense.

Directions: Court is in room 510. Enter the courthouse, go through the metal detectors, curve around to the right, then right again to a bank of elevators. Take an elevator to the 5th floor, then exit elevator, turn right, and walk down a hallway until you can’t walk any further and that’s 510!

If you have questions, please use this form to reach out to us. You can also use it to send messages of support from wherever you are, if you can’t be with us in person.

Thank you and see you soon <3