by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE Feb 2 – 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:
All rise!
Judge: I'm told it'll be a 9 day trial? AUSA: We'll put on 10 to 11 witnesses. Judge: Was a plea offer made? AUSA: No. We sent them letters estimating the applicable sentencing guidelines.
Judge: I have the witness list... I assume witnesses even if victims will not be in tge courtroom when other witnesses testify, even if they have a right to be... AUSA: Many of our witnesses will be coming in from outside of New York
AUSA: We do not intend to present evidence about the clinic in Brooklyn, only Nashville, Atlanta and Fort Myers, Florida. Judge: If a prospective juror answers yes to the personal belief question, I may them to the sidebar for further questioning
Judge: The defense wants to prohibit the Government from introducing evidence about the NY mask mandate. But the Government will present evidence about the defendants not wearing masks and not social distancing. AUSA: Witnesses will say their space was invaded
Judge: The defense wants to exclude evidence that the defendants altered a Black Lives Matter mural in July 2020...
Judge: The government has a motion in limine is limit evidrnce about church membership. Even though it is in the indictment...THe governments seeks to exclude evidence of defendants' charitable works
Defense: We want to show the other peaceful protests, and show that there were differences at the June 19 and 20 protests that led to what happened [Bevelyn Williams nods at defense table]
Inner City Press will cover the trial.
The case is US v. Williams, et al., 22-cr-684 (Rochon)
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