5 December, 1997
Location information above was provided by Ardeth Platte, of Jonah House.
Ardeth writes:
The criminal (in)justice system has a way of making many of these
facts change quickly, so sometimes my e-mail is incorrect before
it reaches you. However, we will keep trying. Please use prison
numbers that are available here in any mailings that you do.
Thanks always. Ardeth and all at Jonah House
24 November, 1997
Steve Kelly, SJ in reported to be in the San Jose jail, CA. We question
the reason for this transport since we had understood that the consequences
for their probation violations had been rolled into their present sentences.
A hearing may be in order and we will keep you posted. Phil Berrigan and
Steve Baggarly are being transported to their respective prisons... Phil to
Petersburg, VA and Steve to Morgantown, WV. They have not yet arrived.
Tom Lewis-Borbely remains in the Cumberland County Jail in Portland and
Mark Colville at the Maine Correctional Facility in South Windham, ME.
Susan has apparently arrived at her destination in Milpitas, CA.
29 October, 1997
Today, Susan Crane was sentenced to 27 months by Judge Carter,
the longest possible within the federal guidelines. Despite the prosecutor's
recommendation for a lesser sentence, Carter applied the maximum term after
Susan refused Carter's demand for her to stand and show respect for the
Court. Susan's sentence also included mandatory restitution of $4,703.90 and
supervised release for 2 years. Susan had testimony from Farther Frank Morin
of Sacred Heart Church Portland, Ardeth Platte, DO, and Steve Kelly, SJ.
Steve Baggarly was sentenced to 13 months with mandatory restitution
of $4,703.90 and supervised release for 2 years. Steve called for the dead
children of Hiroshima to be his witnesses.
Tom Lewis-Boberly's sentence was 6 months , at the low end of the
guidelines, with mandatory restitution of $4,703.90 and supervised release
for 2 years. Judge Carter refused Tom's request to substitute community
service for the restitution.
Following Susan's sentencing, 5 activists blockaded the main gate at the BIW
facility in Portland and spilled blood on BIW's entrance sign. All 5 were
arrested and may be arraigned on Thursday. This makes a total of 14
activists who have been arrested at BIW this week for demonstrating their
opposition to nuclear weapons.
-- Mike Donnelly
27 October, 1997
Judge Gene Carter sentenced the following three Prince of Peace
Plowshares on Monday, October 27th: Philip Berrigan - 24 months in prison,
Steve Kelly, SJ - 21 months, Mark Colville - 13 months. Each is also
sentenced to 2 years supervised release/probation, and mandatory restitution
of 1/6th of 28,000 dollars (alleged damages). The supervised release will
prohibit any state or federal crimes, and will establish a monthly schedule for
restitution payments at a later time. At Philip's sentencing, Judge Carter
said he was aware Philip could not and would not make payments, but another
court would have to deal with the defendent's refusal to pay. Carter made
his views clear by saying he would have given the maximum jail time, but
instead would accept the prosecuting attorney's recommendation of less.
Immediately following the sentences, nine persons from Maine and other
States (including Mary and Mike Donnelly, active supporters in the Portland
area, Jessica and Audrey Stewart and Jason and Justin Jackson and 3
out-of-staters) chained the gates of Bath Iron Works, Portland facility
closed. They were arrested and jailed.
-- Ardeth Platte at Jonah House
22 October, 1997
The Evidentiary Hearing on damages unravelled today because BIW decided that
they didn't want make their pricing information public. The Prosecutor told
Judge Carter that BIW's decision was a surprise and said she would use the
$28,000 from the trial testimony as the value of the damages. All of the
Plowshares resistors stated the Aegis Destroyer had no value. Carter said
he would use the $28,000 and recessed the hearing. Susan Crane produced a
banner and held it up for an instant, but a marshall immediately seized it.
At the same time, Jack and Fay Bussell held up a banner in the rear
of the courtroom whch read "Nuclear Weapons Have No Value". Supporters
present in the courtroom began chanting the banner message and were
escorted out by the Marshalls. A statement from the Prince of Peace
Plowshares was passed to Mary who read the message from the court steps.
Find out more about the trial here.
November 10, 1997
Steve Cohen, Audrey Stewart and Jessica Stewart - three plowshare supporters
- boarded the Aegis Destroyer US Mahan DDG 72 early this morning, spatted the
ship with their blood, scattered flowers and left statements.
November 6, 1997
Last May, during the Plowshare's trial, John Schuchardt was arrested for
kneeling and sending prayers into the court house entrance.
