NATO protesters convicted on non-terrorism charges

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: AP


A jury acquitted three NATO summit protesters Friday of breaking Illinois' rarely tested state terrorism law, but convicted them on lesser arson counts.

Prosecutors described the men — Brian Church, Jared Chase and Brent Vincent Betterly — as dangerous anarchists who were plotting to throw Molotov cocktails at President Barack Obama's campaign headquarters and other Chicago sites during the 2012 summit. Undercover officers infiltrated the group and the men were arrested before the summit began.

Defense lawyers scoffed at the portrayal of their clients as terrorists. They described them as drunken goofs who were goaded into the Molotov cocktail plot by the officers.

The defendants seemed to be nervous Friday as the jury, which deliberated for more than seven hours, filed in. But the three showed little emotion as the mixed verdicts were read. Church, 22, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Chase, 29, of Keene, N.H.; and Betterly, 25, of Oakland Park, Fla., had pleaded not guilty to material support for terrorism, conspiracy to commit terrorism and other several non-terrorism charges, including arson.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/NATO-protesters-convicted-on-non-terrorism-charges-5214213.php

[PatrynXX]

1. anarchists aren't left wing.

they are well no laws. = tea party. sorta makes sense. they got off easy..

[JoeyT]

2. Depends on what kind of anarchists they are.

The majority of them are the left wing equivalent of libertarians, but there are dozens of different kinds.

The baggers are mostly fascists, which are about as far from an anarchist as it's humanly possible to get.

Edited to add: Given that we've pretty much done away with the idea of entrapment as a thing now, I don't know how much they actually did.

[debunkthis]

3. Really?

So, you know these people personally, or are you just blowing hot air?

[SecularMotion]

4. Here's a more detailed article

NATO protesters acquitted of Illinois state terrorism charges

CHICAGO — A jury acquitted three NATO summit protesters Friday of breaking Illinois' rarely tested state terrorism law, a finding the defense said should dissuade Illinois or any other states from ever pressing such charges in a similar way against activists.

While jurors found them not guilty of the most ominous charges, Brian Church, Jared Chase and Brent Vincent Betterly were convicted on lesser counts of arson and mob action.

Prosecutors portrayed the activists as sinister and dangerous anarchists who plotted to throw Molotov cocktails at President Barack Obama's campaign headquarters during the 2012 summit.

Attorney Molly Armour, who represents Betterly, said jurors had showed they agreed prosecutors had been overzealous in characterizing the alleged crimes as terrorism.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/02/nato_protesters_acquitted_of_t.html#incart_river_default

[Pterodactyl]

5. "Fools" or "terrorists". Either way, they are examples white male hate. Lock 'em up.