Protesters' Trial May Go to the Jury Today

[buzzsaw_23]

Protesters' trial may go to the jury today
Second defendant cited for contempt for refusing to detail blood source

By NANCY DOOLING
Gannett News Service

BINGHAMTON — A jury is expected today to begin deliberating the fate of four protesters charged with breaking federal law when they splashed or poured their blood in a military recruiting office two years ago.

Closing arguments from both prosecution and defense are scheduled to begin this morning in Binghamton's federal court on the fifth day of what has been a noisy, sometimes contentious trial with frequent interruptions from the defendants and applause over their actions from a courtroom packed with supporters.

On Thursday, Judge Thomas J. McAvoy stopped one of the four protesters from testifying Thursday, after citing him for contempt for refusing to say who had drawn the blood that was splashed or poured in a Lansing recruiting office. “I can't snitch,” Daniel Burns told McAvoy.

Burns, Peter De Mott, Clare Grady and Teresa Grady are on trial in Binghamton's federal court on charges they conspired to impede a federal official and damaged or injured federal property. The four Ithaca residents could get up to six years in prison if they are convicted of conspiracy. De Mott was cited Wednesday for contempt after he refused to answer the same question.

<snip>

That blood was already on the flag,” Clare Grady said. “We just made it visible.”

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050923/NEWS01/509230350/1002

[Pryderi]

1. Whoa! I grew up in and around Binghamton! Didn't know radicals lived in

the area. ;)

[Justice]

2. Blood Was Already on the Flag; I Just Made It Visible

that is a powerful statement.

How much local attention is this getting in Binghamton?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. I agree

that is an especially good turn of phrase!

[H2O Man]

5. The local paper

is giving it a fair amount of attention.

[Pryderi]

4. Uncle of one of the protestors spilled his blood

Protester leaves bloody mark on Federal Building
Montour Falls man was outside site of St. Patrick's Four trial
BY BRIAN LIBERATORE
Press & Sun-Bulletin

A Montour Falls man shocked a crowd of protesters and police Thursday afternoon when he poured what he claimed was his own blood on the Binghamton Federal Building.

Investigators look over a substance spilled Thursday onto the front of the Federal Building in Binghamton where the trial of The St. Patrick's Four is being held.

Gary Kline, 50, of Mills Road, Montour Falls, walked past police officers and poured red liquid from a plastic bottle on a column in the front of building at about 4:15 p.m.. Witnesses said he then put his hands in the stain and pressed his bloodied palms against the pillar.



Burns is the niece of Daniel Burns of Ithaca, one of the four protesters on trial.
http://www.pressconnects.com/today/topstories/stories/to092305s192885.shtml

[H2O Man]

6. I read the P&S-B article.

It didn't identify him as an uncle of one of the St. Patrick's Four. What article did you get that information from?