by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 24 – 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
On July 23, 2024, Inner City Press live tweeted the sentencing of Bevelyn Williams to 41 months in prison, thread:
Judge: Will any victims speak?
Assistant US Attorney: Planned Parenthood is not here yet... On the substance, we note she crushed a victim's hand with the door.
Defense: We dispute it was a violent assault. She was boisterous- it was a protest by disparate groups Judge: It was an assault with a dangerous weapon - here, the door. She pushed it while singing "We Shall Not Be Moved." So the Guideline is 37 to 46 months in prison.
Defense: We ask for a downward departure. Ms. Williams is a stay at home mother in Tennessee.
AUSA: We oppose any downward departure. These are just ordinary family responsibilities. Judge: I will not be departing downward on this. AUSA: There was a 9 day trial. She blockaded and invaded Planned Parenthood in Fort Myers, Florida, the guard thought they might be armed so he ordered a lock down. At the Atlanta Women's Center, another lockdown. And Nashville in 2022...
AUSA: She bragged on social media. She posed as a patient in Nashville. She invaded 2 facilities in Brooklyn. This is her 8th conviction. She has served only 30 days. 1000s were watching, many are watching the outcome of this case. Others need to be deterred.
AUSA: We request a guidelines sentence.
Judge: Do any victims wish to speak? AUSA: They are not here.
Defense: She has a 2 year old daughter. It has changed her. She cried after the verdict. She grew up in poverty. She has sustained convictions. Defense: She has turned down media, CNN and FOX. She could have criticized the jurors. She waited until today, to explain herself to the Court. [Drum roll]
Defense: We ask for no incarceration. Judge: What about deterrence?
Defense: She won't do it again. General deterrence is unproven.
Bevelyn Williams: Can I use the bathroom? Judge: Of course. In the jury room [Williams rushes] Bevelyn Williams: I had my first abortion when I was 15 [sobs] It took a toll. It was one thing to have sex outside of marriage, with a knucklehead boy like me. There were picketers at the clinic
Bevelyn Williams: It was cut out of me... Two abortions later, and in jail in Rikers Island for scamming like my mother, I met a lady in jail. She ministered to me. I gave my life my Christ.
Bevelyn Williams: I am loud, yeah. But I am saved. I wanted to preach the Gospel. I know what it's like, to lay with a random guy and get stuck with a baby. God knows what I did. He's washed me.
Bevelyn Williams: I'm sorry for that lady's hand. I fear God more than this courthouse. Someone drops a wallet, the old me woulsa kept it. Not now... I feel I'd get less if I stayed a criminal. I feel like I'm "a Negro out of line, stay in your lane"
Judge: I am going to take a break to think about this
All rise! Judge: Ms. Williams says she wants to be a good person. But this is serious misconduct. She obstructed, she pulled a barricade away. She yelled in people's faces, during COVID. She pressed the door closed on a victim's hand to stop legal medical service
Judge: She live-streamed her flouting of the law. A significant sentence is needed. Places of worship are also protected under this Act. In DC there was a 57 month sentence. I've considered the JSIN data. Other people are following this sentencing Judge: The appropriate sentence here is 41 months in prison.
More on X for Subscriber here & Substack here
The case is US v. Williams, et al., 22-cr-684 (Rochon)
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