Prosecution Reveals True Political Motive for Trial
Yesterday and today, while the jury was absent, the prosecutor made a couple of statements that are very indicative of what this trial is REALLY about.
The prosecutor repeatedly alleged that drawing public attention and trying to influence public opinion was part of a criminal conspiracy and that any reference to Earth First! was part of the conspiracy. Apparently, he considers mere association with Earth First! to be criminal. Today in court, the prosecutor expanded the definition of “conspiracy” to include comments relating to the Center for Biological Diversity made at a press conference.
After the jury had left the room on Thursday 12/8, one of the defense lawyers challenged the admission of certain parts of Esquire reporter John Richardson’s tapes - a part dealing with Earth First! treesit-type campaigns in Oregon. When the judge asked US Prosecutor Kleindeinst why that was relevant, Kleindeinst said something to the effect of:
“Because this was part of the conspiracy. Part of the conspiracy was to draw media attention to this case in order to sway public opinion. Having the reporter in the canyon with them was part of the larger goal of drawing attention to Earth First! in order to get more people involved in Earth First! activity, AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE HERE TO PUT A STOP TO.” (emphasis added)
Finally, they admit what this case is really about.
They’re going to be unpleasantly surprised when they realize that the jury does not think that being an environmentalist is a crime, and when they see that REGARDLESS of the verdict, Arizona Earth First! will emerge from this campaign strong and unified, and will keep up our campaigning against Game and Fish’s destructive wildlife policies and any other threat to our desert home.