[GPSCC-chat] Update on Rev. Pinkney's Status - Jill Stein Attends His Court Appearance

[perrysandy at aol.com]

No Justice for PoliticalPrisoner Rev. Edward Pinkney
Hundreds Pledge OngoingSupport for Political Prisoner
Posted on April 15, 2015 by sourcenutmeg
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2015
 
At 8:30 a.m., April 14, 2015, politicalprisoner Rev. Edward Pinkney came into the
Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph,Michigan in handcuffs, but with a smile on his
face. For the next three hours, he, alongwith almost 200 supporters, witnessed another
egregious travesty of justice in JudgeSterling Schrock’s courtroom.
 
As you may know, Rev. Pinkney has spent morethan a decade fighting the Whirlpool
Corporation takeover and Emergency ManagerSystem in place in several Michigan
communities, led by Michigan governors andthe powerful Upton family. The takeover
includes Whirlpool’s devouring of thousandsof acres public land to build corporate
offices, a 5-star PGA golf resort, andmillion dollar condos. He also has been wielding
courage and angst against a corrupt justicesystem, the gentrification of Benton Harbor,
and the genocide that has resulted from jobsoutsourcing and deeds of Mayor Hightower
who borrowed $3.2 million on the backs ofBenton Harbor taxpayers. This all led to
Pinkney’s exercise of a democratic right torecall the mayor of Benton Harbor. But, in an
attempt to silence Rev. Pinkney, BentonHarbor hunted him down, arrested him, and
held a kangaroo court. Since December, he hasbeen incarcerated in horrendous
conditions in the Michigan prison system.
 
No Jus tice forPolitical Prisoner Rev. Edward Pinkney
 
Approximately two hundred supporters attendedthe April 14 his evidentiary hearing on
two motions. Eyewitnesses describe a scene ofpre-planned theatrics as Pinkney’s
attorney Tat Parish rolled out evidence thatjuror Gail Freehling, who served on the all-
White jury that convicted Pinkney with noevidence, lied about her personal and
professional relationship with County ClerkSharon Tyler.
 
The prosecution called both Ms. Freehling andMs. Tyler to the stand along with other
community members who should/could haveattested to the validity of this relationship.
Instead, the majority of questions posed wereanswered with, “I don’t recall” or “I don’t
remember” or “I don’t know.”
 
In the final outcome, Judge Schrock denied aretrial ruling against the defense. The
judge even pulled out notes that were clearlypre-written with wording he intended to
put forth even before the court proceedingstook place. One eyewitness stated, “In
looking at the guiding principles in a normalsystem of justice, we might have prevailed
as the defense put forth a strong case. But,the Berrien County justice system is not the
norm.”
 
In addition to the denial for retrial, JudgeSchrock also ruled Rev. Pinkney pay
restitution in the amount of close to $1,800to Mayor Jim Hightower for his mental
anguish and loss of time from his dutiescaused by the recall election and Pinkney’s trial.
This is another travesty as any governmentofficial should be prepared to face a recall
election–a democratic right of Americancitizens.
 
Jill Stein, Green Party President, waspresent at the hearing and held a press conference
immediately following the hearing. SeveralMichigan leaders spoke at the conference. A
rally was also held across from thecourthouse.
 
Once again, this judge refused to allow Rev.Pinkney’s release on bond pending his
appeal. An appeal will be filed within thenext 42 days.
 
Please support Rev. Edward Pinkney bydonating to his legal defense fund at
www.bhbanco.org or by mailing acheck/money order to 1940 Union Ave.; Benton
Harbor,MI 49022. 
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