NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A judge has dismissed charges against a war protester who was arrested during a visit by President Bush (news - web sites) last spring.
The disorderly conduct charge against Joe Scott was dismissed after witnesses and a videotape contradicted police testimony about his actions.
Scott, 57, claimed he was being singled out by Nashville police during the May 27 visit. "I'm very relieved," he said Tuesday. "I've not been tried as a criminal before."
During the trial, police testified that they wanted Scott, who was holding a "Fire Bush" sign, to move away from the shoulder of the road because he was creating a safety problem and because the U.S. Secret Service wanted protesters at least 10 feet from the street.
Mounted patrol officer Rita Harden testified that Scott had resisted and had run across the street. A videotape of the confrontation showed that Harden used her horse to bump Scott into the street, but it never showed him running away.
Police testified that they asked both Bush supporters and Scott to move, but the video and still photographs contradicted that claim, defense attorney Mary Parker said.
Yahoo article
The disorderly conduct charge against Joe Scott was dismissed after witnesses and a videotape contradicted police testimony about his actions.
Scott, 57, claimed he was being singled out by Nashville police during the May 27 visit. "I'm very relieved," he said Tuesday. "I've not been tried as a criminal before."
During the trial, police testified that they wanted Scott, who was holding a "Fire Bush" sign, to move away from the shoulder of the road because he was creating a safety problem and because the U.S. Secret Service wanted protesters at least 10 feet from the street.
Mounted patrol officer Rita Harden testified that Scott had resisted and had run across the street. A videotape of the confrontation showed that Harden used her horse to bump Scott into the street, but it never showed him running away.
Police testified that they asked both Bush supporters and Scott to move, but the video and still photographs contradicted that claim, defense attorney Mary Parker said.
Lucky for Mr. Scott the judge in Nashville isn't as corrupt as the police. Or at least he couldn't find a way to claim the video inadmissible.
Next needs to come proceedings against those police officers.
Another Bush protestor arrest was recently dismissed by a judge in Crawford, Texas.
I'm keeping a page of links to stories I come across where courts are refusing to uphold outrageous arrests and cases denying people their civil rights. Here. I'm not doing such a good job on it. If you know of other cases that ought to be recognized, tell Nell (always in the sidebar).
....or do what you want....you will anyway.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated. There may be some delay before your comment is published. It all depends on how much time M has in the day. But please comment!