Friday, February 23, 2024

Split Verdict in Freedom of Access to Clinics Act Violation Trial As Chavannes Not Guilty


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 22 – In late 2022 Bevelyn Beatty Williams and Edmee Chavannes were indicted for conspiracy to violate the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. 

 On February 2, 2024 their final pre-trial conference was held before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jennifer L. Rochan. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the courtroom. Thread

On February 12, Inner City Press covered the selection, past 6 pm, of a jury of seven men and five women (of the four alternates, three are men). At least one donor to Planned Parenthood, it is noted, made it only the jury.

On February 14, after a snow day and a juror's late arrival, the prosecutors put on the stand Lauren Betters and a Mr. Liman about the June 19-20, 2020 protest at Bleecker and Mott Streets, and the non-engagement policy as a business record.

On February 16, a witness described protests in Fort Myers and Naples, Florida. He said he thought protesters had guns.

[Shaky video shown of Bevelyn Williams saying she didn't want to get arrested that day because she was pregnant]

On February 22, Williams was found guilty - but Chavannes was found not guilty.

More details on Substack here

The case is US v. Williams, et al., 22-cr-684 (Rochon)

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