UPDATE ON LEGAL CASE
Elija Smith has been moved to Horfield prison in Bristol, he would appreciate visitors, please contact Di on 0117 9426904 who will co-ordinate prison visits. This makes it easier to maximise the allocated times. Robert remains on remand in Lewes prison.
Please write to them using the following:
Robert Alford VP 7552 HMP Lewes , 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1EA
Elija Smith VP 7551 HMP Bristol, 19 Cambridge Rd, Horfield, BS7 8PS
On the day: We all crowded into the public gallery (loads of folk from Brighton) and viewed on video link to the prison at Lewes the review of bail conditions for Elija and Robert Alford AKA Tin-Tin. The folks from Brighton had put a lot of effort into arranging an address and surety for Tin-Tin but to no avail as the magistrates rejected the efforts to get him released on medical grounds. This was very disappointing to all in attendance.
The afternoon was taken up by hanging around in the dock awaiting the magistrates and the subsequent requests for changes to bail conditions.
The prosecuting solicitor began to reveal the line they will take in the trial. He introduced EDO/ITT as company producing civilian and military products!
He was also allowed to reveal snippets of evidence by the Police.
Nine of us have been charged with the same offences, the burglary charge has not been dropped but the prosecution are not presenting any evidence, so that is good news. A campaign friend who was involved in the Fairford trial is sure you cannot plead unlawful excuse for a burglary charge! Unless you nick some bombs I suppose!!
However, the charge of conspiracy was added.
The bad news is that changes to Legal Aid means we are allocated 5000 pounds for the preparation of a defence and trial for all of us.
Lydia who is our defence solicitor has found a volunteer, who spent time in Guantanimo Bay and is very willing to do research. A fundamental aspect of pleading lawful excuse and preventing a greater crime is the state of mind of the defendants. So it becomes important to verify what was in the media during the period leading up to the decommissioning and was influencing our thinking.
Another hurdle is the fact that the trial judge may reject the defence of lawful excuse if there are not sufficient grounds! This happens before the trial so nothing is foregone conclusion.
Anyway we are in good spirits, with no regrets, although Elija and Tin –Tin remain in prison.
MANY THANKS TO THE SEED SWAP ORGANISORS IN BRIZ FOR DONATING THEIR TAKINGS FROM THE FOOD. BRISTOL ABC DESERVE SPECIAL APPRECIATION FOR SHARING HALF THE MONEY FROM THE GIG AT THE PLOUGH WITH US AND GREEK PRISONERS. A BRILLIANT EVENING GUYS.
Previous report at Gaza Solidarity here
Elija Smith has been moved to Horfield prison in Bristol, he would appreciate visitors, please contact Di on 0117 9426904 who will co-ordinate prison visits. This makes it easier to maximise the allocated times. Robert remains on remand in Lewes prison.
Please write to them using the following:
Robert Alford VP 7552 HMP Lewes , 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1EA
Elija Smith VP 7551 HMP Bristol, 19 Cambridge Rd, Horfield, BS7 8PS
On the day: We all crowded into the public gallery (loads of folk from Brighton) and viewed on video link to the prison at Lewes the review of bail conditions for Elija and Robert Alford AKA Tin-Tin. The folks from Brighton had put a lot of effort into arranging an address and surety for Tin-Tin but to no avail as the magistrates rejected the efforts to get him released on medical grounds. This was very disappointing to all in attendance.
The afternoon was taken up by hanging around in the dock awaiting the magistrates and the subsequent requests for changes to bail conditions.
The prosecuting solicitor began to reveal the line they will take in the trial. He introduced EDO/ITT as company producing civilian and military products!
He was also allowed to reveal snippets of evidence by the Police.
Nine of us have been charged with the same offences, the burglary charge has not been dropped but the prosecution are not presenting any evidence, so that is good news. A campaign friend who was involved in the Fairford trial is sure you cannot plead unlawful excuse for a burglary charge! Unless you nick some bombs I suppose!!
However, the charge of conspiracy was added.
The bad news is that changes to Legal Aid means we are allocated 5000 pounds for the preparation of a defence and trial for all of us.
Lydia who is our defence solicitor has found a volunteer, who spent time in Guantanimo Bay and is very willing to do research. A fundamental aspect of pleading lawful excuse and preventing a greater crime is the state of mind of the defendants. So it becomes important to verify what was in the media during the period leading up to the decommissioning and was influencing our thinking.
Another hurdle is the fact that the trial judge may reject the defence of lawful excuse if there are not sufficient grounds! This happens before the trial so nothing is foregone conclusion.
Anyway we are in good spirits, with no regrets, although Elija and Tin –Tin remain in prison.
MANY THANKS TO THE SEED SWAP ORGANISORS IN BRIZ FOR DONATING THEIR TAKINGS FROM THE FOOD. BRISTOL ABC DESERVE SPECIAL APPRECIATION FOR SHARING HALF THE MONEY FROM THE GIG AT THE PLOUGH WITH US AND GREEK PRISONERS. A BRILLIANT EVENING GUYS.
Previous report at Gaza Solidarity here
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