SAN FRANCISCO 8 CASE UPDATES
SF 8 Judge stops return of
Jalil & Herman for parole hearings
For now, SF 8 Judge Philip Moscone halted the transfer
of Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim to New York for their parole hearings.
By throwing procedural obstacles at the court, prosecutors were able to delay
the transfer arguing that there were no guarantees under the existent agreement
between the Governors of New York and California to effect a transfer back
of both men for the scheduled preliminary hearing in September.
This vindictive and mean-spirited smoke screen was strongly challenged
by defense attorneys who had previously worked out an agreement with
the prosecutors and which was signed the judge. Strong arguments were
made to guarantee Herman and Jalil's right to "pursue their liberty interests" and
have parole hearings. Both have served over 30 years in prison as model
prisoners. Both were targeted originally by COINTELPRO as members of the
Black Panther Party.
Judge Moscone ruled to stay his original order without prejudice and
will consider signing another order if an amended arrangement can be
agreed to by defense and prosecution attorneys which assures their timely
return. Both Herman and Jalil have signed waivers agreeing to not contest
their expeditious return to California.
New York Attorney Bob Boyle argued in a declaration to the SF Court that
if the men remain in California, "they would be denied their parole hearing for
years." In a subsequent interview, he also said "The state waited 35 years
to bring these spurious criminal charges. Now these charges are being used
to deny these men parole hearings to which they are entitled. Whatever concerns
the government has can be overcome by a simple modification of the extradition
order. All Herman and Jalil are asking for is an opportunity to attend their
hearings."
Hearing Wed., June 18, 2008
Prosecutor wants Judge to reconsider
sending Herman and Jalil back to NY
The prosecutor in the San Francisco 8 case will ask
Judge Moscone to reconsider his order to transfer Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim
back to New York for their parole hearings. California State Attorney Druliner
is requesting a reversal of an arrangement that took several meetings and
two court hearings to work out, ultimately resulting in a judicial order
that was filed weeks ago.
In the meantime both men have been preparing for their parole appearances in New York.
The hearing to consider the state's motion to reconsider will be heard on Wednesday, June 18th at 9:30 am at 850 Bryant Street in San Francisco.
Also scheduled for next Wednesday, June 18th and Thursday the 19th will be the first of several conditional examinations of prosecution witnesses who are either old or in poor health. The witness scheduled is Gus Coreris, a former SF homicide inspector and one of the first people at the scene at the Ingleside police station in 1971.
Support the brothers and come to court!
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights
P.O. Box 90221 Pasadena, CA 91109 (415) 226-1120
E-mail: freethesf8 [at] riseup [dot]
net
The Plaid Dragon Collective | 718.853-0893
| info@freejalil.com 