CHARGES DISMISSED AGAINST 12/23 “NATIVITY FOUR” HANCOCK REAPER DRONE PROTESTERS FOLLOWING LAST WEEK’S JURY ACQUITTAL OF THE “BIG BOOKS” HANCOCK DRONE PROTESTERS
In a surprise move, DeWitt Town Court Judge David Gideon dismissed charges against all four Upstate Drone Action activists protesting the hunter/killer MQ9 Reaper drones piloted over Afghanistan by the 174th Attack Wing of the NY National Guard at Hancock AFB just north of Syracuse NY.
The four had staged a December 23, 2016 “Nativity tableau” in front of Hancock’s main gate, at 6001 East Molloy Road in the Town of DeWitt. The four* were charged with trespass, disorderly conduct and obstruction of government administration. OGA is a misdemeanor requiring a jury and carrying up to a year’s sentence.
Judge Gideon explained last night’s dismissal by noting that the accusatory documents provided by Hancock repeatedly referred to the 12/23 “Nativity” arrests as occurring on Federal property – which the Judge declared outside his jurisdiction.
In a three-day trial culminating on March 2, 2017, also before Judge Gideon, a six-person jury, after deliberating about a half hour, acquitted all defendants of the same charges for their “Big Books” action at Hancock on March 19, 2015.
*John Amidon, Albany, 518) 312-6442, jajaja1234@aol.com
Ed Kinane, Syracuse, 315) 478-4571 home; edkinane340@gmail.com
Jules Orkin, Bergenfield, NJ, 201) 566-8403, julesorkin@yahoo.com
Bev Rice, New York City, 646) 335-2404, nycbev85@aol.com###
