Most arrested at RNC in Minnesota won't be charged

[pepperbear]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/20/AR2009022003386.html?hpid=sec-politics


ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Most of the nearly 400 people arrested on the last day of the Republican National Convention in Minnesota won't face charges.

St. Paul City Attorney John Choi said Friday that his office has declined to prosecute 323 of the 396 people arrested Sept. 4.

Twenty cases are still being investigated and could end up resulting in charges. The status of the rest of the cases wasn't immediately known.

Choi says the decision to decline or dismiss a criminal case does not mean police acted inappropriately or didn't have probable cause to make an arrest.

The city attorney's office has reviewed 672 convention-related cases and has brought charges in 104 cases.

[Bjorn Against]

1. They had no evidence to arrest them with in the first place.

Screw John Choi, he knows damn well the police violated the Constitution and he still insists they acted properly. People like him are the real criminals.

[cliffordu]

2. Yes, but the damage to their ability to peacefully demonstrate was complete.

Wasn't it.....

Mission accomplished

[Diane R]

3. As if we didn't know that in August. It was all about shutting them up.

[G_j]

4. preemptive arrests don't stand up in court

hope they put money aside for paying off lawsuits.
(They probably have)

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Does that include Amy Goodman and her staff for Democracy Now?