2 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, August 2, 1999 " "~ Charges againzst protesters rimse Ch gEsIfeelv " said defendant Anya Wislocki. Tempers flare outside State Theater "It was clear they had no evidence against us," she Hundreds of movie-goers lined South State Street for Ann Arbor's premiere Continued from Page 1 said. of "The Blair Witch Project" late Thursday night, crowding the area outside the the testimony from fence company representatives did The other defendants cleared of charges include David State Theater. not clear the defendants. Blair, Renee Brunk, Shanta Driver, Melissa Greene, Although a line formedtfrom the theater down the sidewalk, as tickets for the "None of these defense witnesses were on the site. Luke Massie, Johnathan Payne, Melissa Resch and midnight showing went on sale around 11:30 p.m., people began to crowd in They never even saw the fence," Connors said. Jason Wade. front of the theater and a large mass formed outside the ticket office, spilling "They saw video the defense showed them," Connors Although another protester was acquitted last month into the street. added. on felony riot charges, nine defendants are currently State Theater officials and Ann Arbor Police Department bike cops attempt- Although defendants said the process had been a long being tried in circuit court. ed to clear people from the street and the traffic island at South State and East one, they said the decision was still cause for celebra- - Daily Staff Reporter Mahvish Khan contributed to William Streets. tion. this report. Some unhappy movie-goers, who lined up as early as $:34 p.m., were not W'BitRai1 50% off a BritRail Youth Pass when you buy a Eurail Youthpass* TRIAL Continued from Page 1 The attorneys contend the incitement to riot and riot charges are a violation of the Constitution's First Amendment right to free speech as well as the 14th Amendment due process clause, claim- ing the meanings of public terror, alarm and riot are vague and legally undefined. "These statutes are unconstitutional," Massie said. "It's overboard to impose a 10-year punishment for a vague concept that has no concrete definition." Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Peters disagreed con- tending that defendants had caused a civil disturbance. "I think pulling on a fence would cause the terror of being injured," Peters said. "I submit to the court ... that this would cause a state of public terror and alarm Although the majority of testimony and arguments were heardThursday, the defense is expected to submit addition- al information to Shelton Aug. 9. A rul- ing is expected to be reached by the end of the month. In the event that Shelton denies the motion to dismiss the charges, defense attorneys have made additional motions specific to the defendants. Among them include a motion to sever charges for Rackham student Jessica Curtin. Shelton had previously consolidated the trials for the defendants based on like charges. Curtin said she does not wish to be tried collectively. Defense attorneys also requested a motion to dismiss the charge against Ann Arbor resident Robin Alvarez, who is accused of inciting a riot. Additionally, Massie and Washington are challenging Washtenaw County's jury selection procedures, claiming that it underrepresents black and other minority county residents. The attorneys said they believed it is important that KKK counterdemonstra- tors be tried by jurors drawn from a diverse pool. "As a matter of basic social equality and democracy, it is essential that black and other minority communities be fair- ly represented in jury pools,' Massie said. The prosecution requested for the defense motion to be denied, contending there are no grounds for challenging the current jury selection procedures. "We're interested in having a faircross section of the community represented on the jury pool, but it doesn't appear there is problem with that;' Peters said. "What they're really asking for could take a long period of time and delay things. And, there's no need to delay the trials," she said. Add the complete British rail network to your European trip at a great price! When you buy a Eurail Youthpass, Eurail Youth Flexipass or Europass Youth, you'll receive 50% off a youth BritRail Classic Pass or a BritRail Flexipass, which lets you hop on or off the train. See the whole continent at a reduced price with these two great passes. Call today. * For travelers under 26 years of age. Prices valid through December 31, 1999 All Rail Europe products are RAIL EUROPE available through the U-M International Center (Next to Michigan Union) GROUP r or you can call 647-2299 EDITORS:NikaSchulte. AdamnZuwerink. STAFF: April Alexander. Phil Barisal, Jeannie Baumann. Sana Danish, Nick Fazone, Jewel Gopwam,. Seva Gunitskiy. Mahvish Kahn. Ray Kania, Jeremy Peters. Doug Rett. EDITORIAL Nick Woomer, Editor STAFF:A AT ~ AmyBre.Jefe iO~ ff 5eogeMaiKlyhe, 5 AAFP alWog. SPORTS David Den Herder, Managing Editor EDITORS: Chris Grandstaff, Michael Kern, Stephanie Offen. STAFF: Dan Dingerson, Raphael Goodstein, Chris Langrill, Ryan C Moloney, Steve A. Rom, Jon Zemke. 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