Lt. Dan Choi free; brought to court in leg shackles

[Neecy]

Inside the courtroom, both Dan and Jim pleaded not guilty to failure to obey an order this afternoon. I attended their arraignment with Robin McGehee from GetEqual, Pam Spaulding and her wife, Kate, Paul Yandura, Alex Nicholson from Servicemembers United and several of the other GetEqual activists.

Jim was brought into the courtroom first, in handcuffs and leg . He pleaded not guilty and got a trial date of April 26th. The judge told him that he could "post and forfeit" meaning pay a fee of $100, with no admission of guilt, and have the whole matter go away. But, Jim said "not guilty.

Dan came into the courtroom next, again in handcuffs and shackles (leg irons). He got the same disclaimer from the judge about the "post and forfeit" process. But, Dan said, "I plead not guilty and I am not ashamed. And, I am not finished."

Then, both were freed.

http://gay.americablog.com/

[asdjrocky]

1. End DADT now!

[YOY]

2. Balls. He has them in the Colbert way.

n.t.

[Taverner]

9. He's got THE BIGGEST BALLS OF THEM ALL!!!!!

Honestly, wouldn't it be cool if when he came home to CA, he was greeted by a bunch of us singing that song?

[Robb]

3. "And, I am not finished."

This guy gives me chills. Excellent, excellent.

Courage, lieutenant. But I already know you've got plenty. :thumbsup:

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. +1000

[Duke Newcombe]

14. And we are kicking out patriotic servicemen and women like him...

...over what kind of frakkin' silliness, again? :mad:

[Lex]

16. He gives me chills too. What unbelievable courage.

A hero.

[gimama]

4. KICK! for Dan & Jim!

thank YOU, Neecy!!! :patriot:
We sure appreciate this news, & YOU!

[Starry Messenger]

5. Choi 2016

(Not old enough for '12. I checked. :D)

[Bluebear]

7. That's what I'm talkin about :)

[Starry Messenger]

10. Before this I was thinking Senator

But frankly his talents and fire would be wasted there. Might as well just get right down to business. :)

[jesus_of_suburbia]

6. Heroes. BIG K&R! Thanks for posting!

[tkmorris]

11. Oh, I guess he's off suicide watch then

[BeFree]

12. Kick for courage!!

[tbyg52]

13. I appreciate him so much.

:patriot:

[deminks]

15. K&R

I salute them!

:patriot:

[Quantess]

17. K & R

[tango-tee]

18. A giant KnR

for Jim and Dan!

I salute them.

[unhappycamper]

19. When we were arrested in 2007 for 'Disturbing a Lawful Assembly'

we all decided that we wanted a jury trial. Fortunately the Massachusetts court system is slightly more sane that the DC court system and our case was eventually dismissed.

I do understand Lt. Choi's reasoning about a trial by a jury of their peers. Good luck LT.