Post by SoulTrainOz on Jun 19, 2006 23:19:05 GMT -5
RALEIGH -- Ten death penalty protesters stood by their principles and went before a judge Monday. They were accused of trespassing at Central Prison while protesting a pair of executions.
Outside the Wake County courthouse, death penalty protesters prayed for guidance before facing a judge on trespassing charges.
Police said ten people illegally crossed onto Central Prison property while two executions were underway inside.
They formed a line and peacefully sat in front of officers before being arrested.
“I would say they were on the property maybe 20-25 feet,” recalled Sgt. Wes Starling, of the State Capitol Police.
Protesters said they are not guilty because their actions were based on moral law. They believe executions are murder.
“If a greater wrong is going to take place then you have a moral obligation to stop it from happening,” said Bill Gural, a death penalty protester.
“You know, it's true we crossed a line when we went to Central Prison, but I feel that long ago a line crossed us -- the line between justice and vengeance and the line between what's morally right and what's morally wrong,” said protester Beth Brockman.
That decision was not one for the judge in the North Carolina’s courtroom Monday to make. The charges in the case were for second-degree trespassing.
The judge admitted he was sympathetic to their cause saying, “Having grown up in the ‘60s, I admire you completely,” but that admiration did not factor into his decision.
He found them guilty.
The judge also issued a continuing judgment, however. That means the ten protesters must pay court costs of $110, but they will not have to serve any jail time, and no conviction will appear on their record.
The judge did warn the group though that if they trespass again, the penalty will be more severe. Some of the protesters said that’s a penalty they are willing to pay if it means bringing attention to their cause.
A bill calling for a two-year moratorium on executions is stuck in committee in both the North Carolina House and Senate.
It is not expected to come up for debate until next year.
Source: rdu.news14.com/content/your_news/raleigh/default.asp?ArID=86176
Outside the Wake County courthouse, death penalty protesters prayed for guidance before facing a judge on trespassing charges.
Police said ten people illegally crossed onto Central Prison property while two executions were underway inside.
They formed a line and peacefully sat in front of officers before being arrested.
“I would say they were on the property maybe 20-25 feet,” recalled Sgt. Wes Starling, of the State Capitol Police.
Protesters said they are not guilty because their actions were based on moral law. They believe executions are murder.
“If a greater wrong is going to take place then you have a moral obligation to stop it from happening,” said Bill Gural, a death penalty protester.
“You know, it's true we crossed a line when we went to Central Prison, but I feel that long ago a line crossed us -- the line between justice and vengeance and the line between what's morally right and what's morally wrong,” said protester Beth Brockman.
That decision was not one for the judge in the North Carolina’s courtroom Monday to make. The charges in the case were for second-degree trespassing.
The judge admitted he was sympathetic to their cause saying, “Having grown up in the ‘60s, I admire you completely,” but that admiration did not factor into his decision.
He found them guilty.
The judge also issued a continuing judgment, however. That means the ten protesters must pay court costs of $110, but they will not have to serve any jail time, and no conviction will appear on their record.
The judge did warn the group though that if they trespass again, the penalty will be more severe. Some of the protesters said that’s a penalty they are willing to pay if it means bringing attention to their cause.
A bill calling for a two-year moratorium on executions is stuck in committee in both the North Carolina House and Senate.
It is not expected to come up for debate until next year.
Source: rdu.news14.com/content/your_news/raleigh/default.asp?ArID=86176