Manhattan DA Cy Vance prosecutes police misconduct victim- Activist Cecily McMillan’s felony trial to begin April 7 in Manhattan Criminal Court
New York–After two years of delays, the trial of Occupy Wall Street activist Cecily McMillan will begin in Manhattan Criminal Court, Monday April 7th at 9:30am, 100 Centre St. – Room1116 Part 41. In a notorious high profile incident Ms. McMillan, a New School University graduate student, was arrested, sexually assaulted and beaten into a seizure by police on March 17, 2012. Turning a blind eye to obvious police misconduct, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is prosecuting McMillan; she faces a 2nd degree felony assault charge with a possible seven (7) year prison sentence. This is one of the last unresolved Occupy Wall Street-related criminal cases.
Before court begins Justice for Cecily will hold a press conference at 9am Monday April 7th outside 100 Centre St.; Cecily McMillan and her attorney Martin R. Stolar will discuss the case.
DA Vance has adamantly insisted on harsh treatment – a felony prosecution – for McMillan while ignoring NYPD wrongdoing. Many familiar with the case suspect that McMillan’s political organizing work with Occupy Wall Street is a factor in Vance’s actions. Cecily McMillan’s well known commitment to nonviolence makes the case even more absurd.
Judge Ronald Zweibel, who will preside over the trial, has set a chilling tone in the proceedings by refusing to allow the defense to examine NYPD Patrol Officer Grantley Bovell’s personnel file. Bovell, the key prosecution witness, has been linked to a Bronx ticket-fixing scandal and been accused of using excess force on the job in the past; his official NYPD file may contain other items that impact his credibility. Judge Zweibel’s decision that Bovell’s history is “irrelevant” to McMillan’s right to a fair trial sets a troubling precedent for all activists and victims of police brutality. Calling Zweibel’s decision too “narrow,” Martin R. Stolar has submitted a re-argument of the motion to examine the file.
Justice for Cecily is asking activists and allies to fill the courtroom in solidarity with McMillan and witness what is expected to be a 4 or 5 day long jury trial. Supporters will be gathering outside the courthouse on April 7th beginning at 8am for a free breakfast provided by the Cargo Bike Collective and Occupy Guitarmy.
More information, regular updates are online at http://JusticeForCecily.com and on Facebook
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