Friends and Family,
Just
a note to update you on the latest with the #Gilbert7 trial in
Detroit's 36th District Court. The jury reconvened for deliberations at
9:00 a.m. today in the effort to deliver a unanimous verdict in the
case against the seven members of the MI Poor People's Campaign on trial
for "obstructing a street care." After deliberating much of the day
the judge adjourned the trial and jury deliberations at 2:30 p.m.
closing the courthouse down due to the weather.
The
jury will begin deliberations again on Tuesday, January 29th at 9:00
a.m. toward determining a unanimous verdict of guilt or innocence. It
is entirely possible that at some point Judge Larry Williams, Jr. will
declare a mistrial, which might have multiple possible outcomes,
including a decision by the Prosecutor's Office to pursue another trial
against the seven defendants. Other possibilities include the
prosecutor asking that the defendants plead no contest to the charges,
or offer possible dismissal of charges under certain conditions. At
this point we just don't know how things will go or how long the judge
will continue to require the jury to deliberate.
We
will continue to keep you informed. Thank you for your continued
support of the Gilbert 7 and the Poor People's Campaign. No matter the
outcome of this trial, we will collectively continue to advocate with
and on behalf of people impacted by poverty, racism, war, materialism
and environmental devastation.
Forward together!
Greg Olszta
For the Washtenaw Poor People's Campaign