RNC Eight

Today, October 25, was supposed to be the beginning of the trial of the RNC 8.  Originally facing terrorism charges under the first (and so far only) known use of the Minnesota PATRIOT Act, the eight anti-RNC organizers then faced four charges each before pressure on county attorney Susan Gaertner sent the terror enhancements packing.  In the end, Gaertner dropped charges against three of the eight completely, and in doing so found it easier to secure a final plea agreement on a lesser charge.

Update from Thursday's Hearing: RCSO Investigator Jay Maher testifies about surveillance, says "I did not recognize the RNC Welcoming Committee's video as satire." | --> And Friday's Hearing: Judge considers subpoena of FBI informant Darst

ST. PAUL, Minnesota — Following their October 8, 2009 hearing before Judge Teresa R. Warner, the RNC 8 received word [Wednesday] that they will face a single joint trial, not the eight or three separate trials favored by the office of Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner. The defendants were preemptively arrested before the Republican National Convention began last year, following many months of police infiltration and surveillance of their group, the RNC Welcoming Committee, which helped organize lodging, food, and medical and legal aid for those protesting the convention.