from http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/33922.php

Sabino Canyon Trial Update: Day 4, Monday December 12, 2005
by Arizona Indymedia Tuesday December 13, 2005 at 10:24 AM

The case of U.S. v Coronado and Crozier was given to the jury late Monday afternoon after the prosecution brought two additional witnesses to testify. In the closing arguments, the government presented an emotional argument to the jury about the danger of mountain lions how the defendants and Esquire writer John Richardson trampled on free speech, by crossing the line between free expression and criminal behavior. The two defense attorneys argued that the government never proved “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Coronado and Crozier are guilty of any of the three charges. One responded directly to the government’s free speech argument by saying, “The principle to get information to the media is a very important part of democracy, and when the government says that’s a criminal objective, we have got a problem.” The jury is expected to return with a verdict Tuesday.

Tuesday morning saw the conclusion of testimony and evidence presentation for the Sabino Canyon mountain lion case. The prosecution finished with Special Agent Doak Malik and defense cross-examined. Crozier’s attorney, Sean Bruner, spent some time going over the notes take by Malik and his partner, during their interrogation of Matt Crozier. Agent Malik first made it clear that he preferred the word “interview,” and that it was FBI policy to not tape-record the interviews they had with suspects. Bruner pointed out to Agent Malik that in the notes of his partner, Agent Nowak, there are a few mentions of the ground sensor, and a line that said, “Damaging the sensor was a spur-of-the-moment decision.” Bruner also pointed out that under the word “sensor,” the word “snare” was written, in someone else’s handwriting.

“Could this be your handwriting, Agent Malik?” “It could be mine.” “Isn’t it true, Agent Malik, that after finding that the sensor was not federal property and the snare was, you added, “snare” to your notes and report as an afterthought?” Agent Malik refused to admit this. “Isn’t it true that you’re taught [In FBI training] not to use a tape recorder because then the jury in cases like this could hear what the defendants ACTUALLY said, rather than the agent’s version of what they said?” Agent Malik also failed to agree with this, and offered some explanations about working collaboratively with his partner.

The next witness was Greg Lilo, Arizona Game and Fish officer, who described apprehending reporter John H. Richardson in the canyon. Lilo found the broken sensor, and the snare, but upon cross-examination was unable to say for sure whether the snare had actually been damaged, only that it was ‘disassembled’ and moved from what he understood to be its original place.

The final witness was Kristi Kath, who runs a business called Tucson Media Monitoring, which records all local TV news and public affairs broadcasts, and provides copies of this material for a fee. In April 2004 prosecutors asked for copies of all news broadcasts the included the defendant Rod Coronado around the time of the Sabino Canyon incident in March. She found 20 stories, and the prosecutors played 2 for the jury.

After the last witness the jury was excused for lunch and the defense made motions to dismiss all charges for lack of evidence but the judge overruled. After the break the case exploded into a debate on first amendment rights when all three lawyers spent a considerable portion of their closing arguments on John Richardson’s recording, Earth First!’s tactics of submitting video material to the media, and Rod Coronado’s statements to the media before, during, and after the hunt.

In his closing statement, Government prosecutor Wallace Kleindienst accused defendants Coronado and Crozier, as well as John Richardson of “trampling on free speech” because part of their criminal agenda was to “manipulate the news media” and to “interfere with the truth.” At least two-thirds of Kleindienst’s closing argument was about the Richardson tape, notes that he made into an audio recorder when he was accompanying Earth First! in Sabino Canyon. The tape had been introduced as evidence Friday, after a 45-minute controversial discussion on Thursday afternoon, after the jury was dismissed, about whether the tape could be used. Kleindienst argued that the Richardson tape was “the smoking gun” in the case.

Kleindienst asserted that Richardson was a “co-conspirator” in the case because of his actions in Sabino Canyon. Many were very concerned that due to this argument the Richardson tapes could be introduced, especially since the government has not charged Richardson with conspiracy. Kleindienst went so far as to say that, “the tapes [Richardson’s and Coronado’s video footage] would hang them.”

Defense Attorney Bruner responded to the government’s arguments by saying that the Richardson tapes “are audio notes by a journalist,” pointing out that when FBI special agent Doak Malik refered to the Richardson tapes as “audio notes” in his witness testimony, Kleindienst immediately corrected him saying, “don’t call them that, unless Richardson called them that.”

Tony Felix, representing Coronado, said in his closing comments that he was troubled that the case had turned into an argument about whether or not Sabino Canyon should have been closed and a First Amendment case. “The principal to get information to the media is part of democracy, and when the Government says that’s a criminal objective, we’ve got problems,” Felix said.

Bruner spent the majority of his time detailing how Crozier had not been proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” that he was guilty of any of the three charges. He also reiterated that in the FBI notes the word “snare” had been added to the notes under the word “sensor” in a different person’s handwriting. He pointed out that if the snare was damaged, than why did the Government not introduce it as evidence, or even ask Sam Derringer, the man hired to hunt the lions and who owned and set the traps, about the nature of the damaged traps. (Later Kleindienst, in his rebuttal, responded that if the Defense was concerned about the condition of the snare, why didn’t they ask Derringer in their cross-examination?)

In his closing arguments, Felix criticized the Government’s strategy, saying that their goal was to get the jury “on the emotional side of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD),” and that he believed that many of the Government’s witnesses were called up to give testimony for this purpose. He pointed out the contradictions in the testimonies of the helicopter pilot, Mike Brinkworth and John Romero (AGFD law enforcement officer) about how many people were involved in “digging.”

Both defense attorneys stressed the fact that the hunt was being run by AGFD, not a federal entity, thus the Earth First! activists could not have interfered with or injured a federal official (or his/her property).

Approximately 20 supporters of Crozier and Coronado were present in the courtroom.

The jury is expected to return with a verdict Tuesday.

from http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/33784.php with minor changes

Sabino Canyon Trial - Friday Afternoon
by Arizona Indymedia Saturday December 10, 2005 at 11:16 AM

The prosecution called three FBI agents to testify about the arrests of Rod Coronado and John Richardson in Sabino Canyon on March 24, 2004 and the arrest of Matt Crozier in Prescott, Arizona on December 7, 2004. Susan Kozacek, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Coronado National Forest who signed the forest closure that ended up being invalid, testified about her role during the mountain lion hunt. Approximately one hour of Richardson’s personal audio tapes were played to the jury.

FBI special agent William Chontos was brought to the stand first to testify. Chontos, an investigator and member of the evidence recovery team, was called in on March 24 to document the scene of the incident in Sabino Canyon. He said that he was instructed where and what to take photos of. He documented Coronado and Richardson, the items in their backpacks, all the snares and seismic sensors, and other elements of the investigation.

The prosecution then called FBI special agent Brian Nowak to the stand. Nowak said he was called to Sabino Canyon early afternoon by US Forest Service Law Enforcement because individuals had been seen inside the recreation area. Nowak said he was involved in the arrest of John Richardson who was “hiding” under brush. Nowak said that he did not take any notes from his activities that day, but under cross examination, defense lawyer Sean Bruner handed Nowak four pages of notes, two which Nowak identified as his handwriting. Defense attorneys requested that Nowak be kept available for additional questions later in the case.

Suan Kozacek, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Coronado National Forest, was called to testify about the role she played during the mountain lion hunt. She said that her job is to act as the Forest Supervisor in her absence. She said that she signed the document on March 9, 2004, closing the section of the forest that included Sabino Canyon. Jeanine Derby, Forest Supervisor, had been out of town in Safford, Arizona the day the forest was closed. Kozack claimed that she believed the forest was closed on March 24 when Coronado and Richardson were arrested. It was ruled September 22, 2005 that Kozacek did not have the authority to close the forest, which as a result, changed some of the charges against the two activists.

The third FBI special agent called to the stand was Doak Mahlik. Mahlik testified that he was called to Sabino Canyon March 24 after individuals were sighted in the canyon. He explained that he was involved in Coronado’s arrest in the canyon. Mahlik was also questioned on the investigation and arrest of Crozier later that year in Prescott. The prosecution questioned Mahlik about Richardson’s notes he documented with a voice recorder.

After heated arguments Thursday afternoon on the nature of Richardson being named a “co-conspirator” in the incident (See previous updates below), approximately one hour of audio was played to the jury. Richardson’s recording, which the prosecution made it clear to Mahlik to not call them “audio notes,” but rather “Richardson’s recordings.” The verbal recordings were taken from before and on March 24 when he was arrested. The tapes included a Center for Biological Diversity and Arizona Game and Fish Department press conference, in addition to notes he made to himself regarding planning and activity of Earth First! outside and inside the canyon. The recording was a clear documentation of a journalist attempting to take notes that not only described the actions and sentiment of involved Earth First!ers, but also to capture details of clothing, the scenery, smells, temperature, and other characteristics that would help him reconstruct the atmosphere in the story he was planning to write. A couple times, Richardson documented the ethical debate he was having about his role as an undercover journalist. At one point he questioned, “What would I do if I saw a snare? Would I point it out to them?” When he and the Earth First!ers were in the canyon the morning of March 24 and were discussing if they had been spotted, he noted, how he could “just walk right out of here [the canyon].”

After the tapes were played, the prosecution asked Mahlik if he knew what was meant by the discussions on the Richardson’s recording that referred to “making tapes.” Mahlik answered that Earth First! members were discussing editing clips of their video to send to the local media.

The trial will reconvene Monday morning at 9:30, go until about noon, then continue at 1pm until about 5pm. All evidence and testimony is scheduled to be finished by noon, and closing arguments will go from 1-4:30pm with time at the end for jury instruction. The case is set to be finished Tuesday, pending the length of the jury’s deliberation.

Supporters are welcome in the courtroom (courtroom 6B, federal courthouse, at the corner of Congress and Granada) at any time. Remember to bring a photo ID and be prepared to go through a security check. Remember that any behavior of the audience may reflect on the defendants in the jury’s mind.

The trial will definitely be going into next week - Monday and possibly Tuesday.

The trial will continue this afternoon (Friday) at 2pm. It will reconvene Monday morning at 9:30, go until about noon, then reconvene at about 1:15 until about 5. Hopefully it will finish Monday (other than jury deliberations), but given the pace of things it may go till Tuesday.

Supporters are welcome in the courtroom (courtroom 6B, federal courthouse, at the corner of Congress and Granada) at any time. Remember to bring a photo ID and be prepared to go through a security check. Remember that any behavior of the audience may reflect on the defendants in the jury’s mind, so try and stay calm and cool regardless of how obnoxious the prosecution and their witnesses behave. We haven’t had any problems - this is just a friendly reminder.

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.

from http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/33737.php

Mountain Lion Trial Update: Morning 3
by Atlatl Friday December 09, 2005 at 11:35 AM

This morning saw witnesses testifying to the circumstances regarding Rod Coronado’s arrest. This afternoon we anticipate FBI testimony and the edited version of Esquire reporter John Richardson’s tapes.

This morning, the prosecution’s case continued with a witness from the US Forest Service, one from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and an evidence specialist from the FBI. The first two witnesses testified regarding the arrest of Rod Coronado and the contents of his backpack, and the prosecution played a videorecording from a tape that was found in Rod’s backpack. The recording showed hunters in Sabino Canyon on the day of the arrests and had Rod’s voice on it. It also showed the Game and Fish-contracted helicopter apparently pursuing Rod.

The third witness, who will continue testifiying this afternoon, has so far only established that he took pictures of undisturbed snares after Rod and Esquire reporter John Richardson were arrested.

Anticipated this afternoon are more FBI witnesses and the edited version of John Richardson’s tapes.

After the jury left the room, the judge handed out a revised transcript of the tapes, with all prejudicial and irrelevant material stricken. Unfortunately, that still leaves plenty for the jury to listen to that is irrelevant and that the FBI and prosecution will TRY to make prejudicial, such as information about previous EF!-type campaigns the defendants had been involved in, a press conference involving the Center for Biological Diversity, and other information they merely told John as part of being interviewed by a reporter.

The prosecution’s editing team is going to try and have the edited version of the tape ready by this afternoon.

from http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/33710.php

Mountain Lion Trial Update: Day 2
by steev Thursday December 08, 2005 at 09:35 PM

On Day Two of United States vs. Coronado and Crozier, the prosecution continued to bring witnesses to the stand, mostly to address exactly what they claimed during opening arguements that the trial was NOT about: mountain lions, animal rights, and whether the Forest Service and Game and Fish were doing the right thing. The only other thing that prosecution accomplished was showing that 3 people were in the Sabino Canyon area on March 24, 2004, wearing brownish clothing, and that they may or may not have been digging in the ground near the site of a lion snare and seismic sensor.

The day began with the testimony of the helicopter pilot who had been contracted by Arizona Game and Fish to be on call in case a mountain lion needed to be removed from the area. He described how after agents saw 3 people on a hillside in the canyon area, he took off in his copter with Game and Fish officer John Romero to go find them. Romero was the next to testify, and his story seemed to not match the pilot’s, or even his own report that he gave to defense lawyers previously. During cross-examination, defense attorney Sean Bruner spent a long time trying to understand how Romero could tell that the 3 individuals he saw from the helicopter were digging and yet, as he admitted, could not see their hands or any dirt being pushed around. Romero stuck by this illogical position till everyone else lost patience and interest.

Next on the witness stand was Joshua David Taiz, a biologist with the Forest Service. The prosecution used him to once again dwell on how important it was to take care of the scary, dangerous mountain lion problem in Sabino Canyon.

Just before the 3:00 recess, after letting the jury go, the judge seemed impatient and reprimanded the defense, which was in the middle of cross-examining Mr. Taiz, for taking so long to talk about something that was tangential to the case, the lions and the justification for killing and trapping them. Defense attorney Bruner, replied that it was the prosecutor that was bringing in the irrelevant witnesses. “I don’t know what this has to do with the prosecution.” “I don’t either,” said the judge.

The prosecution finished up the day with testimony from Sam Derringer, the government hunter who’d been in charge of the snares, then a Forest Service special agent, and another Forest Service officer, Margaret Strong. Finally the jury was dismissed and the judge and counsel argued for 45 more minutes about whether prosecution could admit as evidence the tape recorded by John Richardson, the Esquire reporter who was with the accused. The defense’s position was that the tape was not admissable because Richardson was not proven to be part of the ‘conspiracy’, but prosecutor Kleindienst claimed that Richardson was a participant, because he ran from the helicopter! Kleindienst, getting very animated at this stage in the discussion, also claimed that part of the Earth First! conspiracy was to use the media to sway public opinion, and that “this case is really about protesting with criminal intent.”

The judge decided that an edited version of the tape would be admissable, and that after editing it would be played for the jury Friday afternoon.

The trial will resume Friday at 9am, with a recess between 12 and 2 and then continuing till 5. The defendants welcome community supporters to be present, at the Tucson Federal Courthouse, 6th Floor, courtroom 6B.

And of course, while the trial drags on, Sabino the lionness continues her incarceration at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Scotsdale, where she was sent without a trial of any kind.

From http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/33703.php

Mountain Lion Courtroom Update: Day one
by Emrys Thursday December 08, 2005 at 04:26 PM

The US attorneys wasted a few hours admitting evidence that had absolutely nothing to do with Rod and Matt’s charges. We now know for sure that mountain lions live in the Santa Catalina mountains, and that Matt had a job with the Blake Foundation.

Rod and Matt’s trial finally began Wednesday afternoon after jury selection was completed shortly before 3:00.

The trial immediately started with the prosecution’s opening arguments. The government stated that it wasn’t the hunt that was on trial, but rather whether or not Rod and Matt entered the canyon to “disrupt, interfere or impede people who were trying to do their job.” He went on to say that Rod and Matt had crossed the bounds of free speech and “went over into lawlessness.”

Prosecution then spent quite some time talking about the buildup to the lion hunt and the hunt itself – even though they claimed that the hunt wasn’t on trial.

Rod Coronado’s lawyer then made opening statements saying that this would be a political case, stating that the majority of the Government’s evidence would be classified as free speech – although it may be unpopular speech. But the evidence would not be proof of criminal activity.

Matt’s lawyer then finished the closing arguments by saying that the prosecution will attempt to parade witnesses to the stand to get the jury’s emotions fired up, but that the government has no evidence to actually back up their charges. He claimed that the government cannot back up the conspiracy charges because they cannot prove that Matt agreed with Rod on anything. That just because you think you might be violating a law doesn’t mean you are violating a law. And that the sensor that Matt and Rod allegedly destroyed was owned by Arizona Game and Fish, a state agency, not the Forest Service, so it cannot fall under the federal court’s jurisdiction.

The first witness the prosecution called was a cafeteria worker from a middle school near Sabino Canyon. She testified she saw a mountain lion outside the window of her cafeteria some time in the past year, but couldn’t remember when. Prosecution also entered a picture of a mountain lion into evidence.

Then the government called an HR employee from the Blake Foundation to the stand to testify that Matthew Crozier indeed had a job with them from March of 2002 until May of 2003. His employment application, a photo copy of the ID and his termination report were all entered into evidence.

The prosecution’s third witness was a resident of a foothills community on Alvernon about a mile from the Finger Rock trailhead. He testified that he saw a mountain lion in his neighbor’s driveway and then spoke with a Game and Fish officer about it.

By the end of the third witness, it was nearly 5:00 pm, so the court recessed for the night.

Proceedings are expected to last through Monday of next week in the Federal Courthouse building on the 6th floor.

The court will reconvene Wednesday 12/7, at 9:30 a.m. Jury selection is still ongoing (almost all of the prospective jurors have heard of the case, and have to be questioned individually!), and may take the rest of the morning, but it also might finish within an hour or two. As soon as jury selection finishes (or after lunch if it finishes late), opening statements will begin and the trial will go into full swing.

Audience members ARE allowed inside during jury selection, and the presence of supporters would be appreciated at ANY time during the day. Remember your government-issued photo ID and be prepared to go through security like at an airport.

Presumably, the court will be in session each day from approximately 9:30 to 5. The trial will take all day Wednesday and Thursday, and will finish on Friday. After Friday, the jury will deliberate for however long it needs - but the courtroom part will definitely finish this week.

Remember to check here regularly for updates from the courtroom!

Judge Bury heard final pretrial motions this morning, and we’re moderately pleased with the outcomes. He ruled the following:

* The prosecution may not use the term “trespassing” to refer to the defendants’ actions, and there can be no criminal consequences for merely entering the canyon (the federal closure was previously found to be invalid on a technicality). They may, however, tell the jury that the canyon was believed to be closed during the hunt, to prove that the defendants were willing to break the law to accomplish their goals.

* The statements made by Esquire reporter John Richardson on tapes that were later seized by the FBI cannot be admitted as evidence until the government proves that John was a co-conspirator and that his statements were made to further that conspiracy. Otherwise, his statements are inadmissible because the defendants would have no opportunity to “confront the witness” in court (John is not testifying). The judge admitted to skepticism that John was actually involved in the conspiracy but said he is open to being convinced. The few statements on the tapes that are direct recordings of Rod or Matt’s voices CAN be admitted.

* The government must release to the defense any evidence that other people were in the canyon that day, since AGFD officer John Romero admits only that he saw three people tampering with a snare, but couldn’t see who they were. If there were others in the canyon, the government cannot prove who did what.

Also, we inaccurately reported the charges against Rod and Matt in the last post. The actual charges are:

* Felony conspiracy to interfere with or injure a federal official (or his property): max 6 yrs

* Misdemeanor interference with or injury of a federal official (or his property): max 6 months

* Petty theft or destruction of government property (valued at less than $1000)

Jury selection will take place this afternoon, with the opening arguments to be heard tomorrow morning. When we know what time the proceedings will begin tomorrow, we will let you know.

Sabino Canyon Trial Starts TUESDAY!

The moment has arrived: starting Tuesday, December 6, the Sabino Canyon defendants will have their moment in court – and they need your support! Now is the time to step up and help the brave eco-warriors who risked their freedom to help mountain lions in danger.

BACKGROUND

As you may recall, in March 2004, Chuk’shon Earth First! sabotaged an Arizona Game and Fish Department hunt for mountain lions in Sabino Canyon. The lions had not posed any threat to humans or domestic animals, but the US Forest Service was determined not to lose any money in entrance fees from even the perception of heightened lion activity. The hunt was extremely unpopular with the Tucson public, and even after Game and Fish agreed to “only” imprison the lions for life instead of killing them, more than 60% of the public was still opposed. Even the governor declared her opposition to the hunt, but Game and Fish and the Forest Service remained unaccountable and unmoved.

Unwilling to stand by while innocent wild creatures were imprisoned or killed, Earth First! declared its intention to sabotage the hunt. Eventually, the FBI (yes, the FBI!) would arrest three people and charge them with illegal activity in Sabino Canyon: Rod Coronado, Matt Crozier and John Richardson, a reporter for Esquire magazine.

Remember that because of Earth First!’s activities, Game and Fish was unable to locate any mountain lions until they lied to the public, announced the hunt cancelled, and baited a trap – eventually capturing one mountain lion, dubbed “Sabino.”

THE CHARGES

As of now, Rod and Matt seem to be charged with:

* Felony conspiracy to interfere with or injure a federal officer (max 6 yrs)
* Misdemeanor trespassing (max 6 months)
* Petty theft or destruction of government property

The first two charges relate to a mountain lion snare that was allegedly disabled, while the third relates to the fact that the canyon was declared closed to the public during the hunt. Please note that no one was injured during the Sabino Canyon hunt – the first charge refers to property!

It is not clear at this point if John still has charges against him. The reason we’re not 100% clear on the charges with less than a week to trial is because the government keeps filing new charges as their old ones get thrown out. You’d think they’d have a stronger case nearly 2 years down the line!

And as always, Sabino the mountain lion remains imprisoned indefinitely without charge.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

The government is trying to make an example out of the Sabino defendants, in order to discourage anyone who would take direct action in opposition to government policies – not just Earth-defenders! Like the upcoming trial of No More Deaths volunteers for aiding migrants in need, this trial has implications for us all.

Why was the FBI called in to investigate a simple case of nonviolent wildlife defense? Why are multiple felony charges being prosecuted for an action that put no one at risk? Why has the government consistently tried to use the very fact that Earth First! is a “radical” group as evidence in and of itself? Why has the district attorney insisted that no plea bargain will be offered that does not involve a “guilty” plea to a felony?

We are going to be seeing more prosecutions like this in the coming years, and we need to make it clear that THE PUBLIC WILL NOT PUT UP WITH IT.

There are lots of things that you can do to help the Sabino Canyon defendants in the upcoming week:

1. Come to the trial! Having supporters in the courtroom will lift the spirits of the defendants, show the government that there is a wide base of support behind them (making prosecutions like this less likely in the future), and demonstrate to the jury that Rod, Matt and John are just regular people with good friends and widespread community support – not hooligans, criminals or terrorists, as the government will try to imply.

All proceedings will take place at the federal courthouse downtown, at the corner of Congress and Granada in Judge Bury’s courtroom on the 6th floor. Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., the judge will hear final pretrial motions. Opening arguments will likely begin in the late afternoon, after jury seleciton. The trial will continue on Wednesday, Thursday and maybe Friday, presumably starting at 9 a.m. each day. As we get more details or if any information changes, we will send out updates and post them to www.azef.org.

Please remember that you need a government-issued photo ID to enter the courthouse, and that you will be searched (so leave your pocket knives at home!). Please dress appropriately and behave yourself in the courtroom – remember that anything you do may reflect on the defendants in the jury’s mind. No talking will be allowed during court proceedings, and federal marshalls may remove or even arrest you if you are disruptive. Don’t worry, this isn’t as intimidating as it sounds – just dress relatively nicely and stay quiet while in the courtroom and everything will go fine. Please sit only on the right hand side of the courtroom.

2. Donate money. This case has been a serious financial hardship for some of our friends, and a lot of legal costs have been coming out of pocket. Please donate some money to help defray these costs or to support our ongoing defense of Arizona’s wildlife in the field. Even $5 or $20 will help, but please give as much as you can afford.

You can mail checks (or well-concealed cash) made out to Rod Coronado to PO Box 3023, Tucson, AZ 85702. They can be earmarked for “legal support” or “hunt sabs” if you prefer your money to go to one or the other. Otherwise, we will direct it wherever there is greatest need. Also, you can bring donations directly to the courthouse and give them to one of the defendants (outside of the courtroom) or you can come to our benefit and info session (see below).

Please note that we CANNOT, at this time, accept checks made out to “Chuk’shon EF!,” but we CAN accept checks made out to “Arizona Earth First!” if you prefer.

3. Volunteer. We will be running trial support for the defendants throughout the week. If you have free time and want to help by making phone calls, helping out with video documentation/editing, or just want to cook the defendants a vegetarian meal, contact sabthebastards (at) hotmail.com or call 884-0283.

4. Come to our benefit and info session to hear updates from the trial – Thursday, December 8 at 7pm at the Dry River, 657 W. St. Mary’s (between I-10 & Granada). We will hear reports from the courtroom and show video footage of EF! campaigns past and present. There will be snacks available. Event is free, although this would be a good opportunity to make a donation!