Court Report from Feb 4, 2015 – The Dallas 6

Motion to dismiss the charges advances;

February 17 trial date postponed; next hearing Thursday Feb. 19.

Over two dozen supporters of the Dallas 6 prisoner whistleblowers packed the courtroom in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on Wednesday February 4 for a pre-trial dismissal hearing.

The judge agreed to hear arguments on the motion to dismiss the case submitted by Michael Wiseman, attorney for Derrick Stanley on behalf of all of the Dallas 6. In addition, the DA must submit a written brief in response before the next court date on February 19.  Please note that the February 17th trial start date has been postponed.

The motion to dismiss was based on arguments that the act of covering cell windows is not intrinsically dangerous, and therefore does not constitute disorderly conduct.  He cited two recent cases that reject vague and overbroad usage of disorderly conduct charges as violations of due process. The Pennsylvania Superior Court had upheld the riot charges, but Mr. Wiseman argued that Superior Court had not heard these arguments.  He also argued that he and the court were entitled to a written response from the DA.

Attorney Michael Wiseman, center, briefs Dallas 6 supporters post-hearing.  Dallas 6 member Derrick Stanley stands behind Mr. Wiseman, Dallas 6 “mom” Shandre Delaney to the far right.

Outrageously, two of the defendants, Carrington Keys and Andre Jacobs, were not in court. The DOC told the court they had refused to come without their street clothes. In fact, they had not refused, they had only asked for their clothes – and the guards never came back for them.

Also in court, attorney for Anthony Locke of the Dallas 6, Ernie Preate, argued three motions related to the DA’s redaction of Mr. Locke's cell extraction video. The judge responded to all three of Mr. Preate's arguments saying "she'd think about it".

Who are the Dallas 6?

Derrick Stanley, Carrington Keys, Andre Jacobs, Duane Peters, Anthony Locke and Anthony Kelly were in solitary confinement in SCI Dallas PA prison when they blew the whistle on & peacefully protested against torture by prison guards.  Four of them face trial in Luzerne County (infamous for the “kids for cash” scandal) for “rioting.” The next dismissal hearing is Thursday, Feb 19.

More info:  sd4hrc@gmail.com  Facebook  scidallas6.blogspot.com

What can you do?

► Come to Fundraisers in Pittsburgh Feb 13 and Philadelphia Feb 14.

► Endorse the call to support the Dallas 6.

► Help to pack the court on Feb 19 for the dismissal hearing. Sign up here if you are planning to come, need or can offer transportation/ housing.

► Set up a speaking engagement for Shandre, Derrick and Isaac who give dynamic presentations (see video).

► Sign the Petition to Indict Corrupt Luzerne County Officials.

► Help with housing, rides, food for those coming to the trial.

► Make a Donation!

Justice for the Dallas 6 Support Campaign: Abolitionist Law Center; Every Mother is a Working Mother Network; Fight for Lifers West; Germantown Friends Meeting Mass Incarceration Working Group; Global Women’s Strike & Women of Color@GWS – US; Human Rights Coalition – Fed Up; Human Rights Coalition – Philadelphia; Marcellus Shale Earth First; Mishkan Shalom New Jim Crow Study-Action Group; Payday men’s network; Peacehome Campaigns; Shalefield Organizing Committee.  Endorsements: Art for Justice; Brandywine Peace Community; California Families Against Solitary Confinement (CFASC); The Center for Returning Citizens (TCRC); Decarcerate PA; Defending Dissent Foundation; Global Women’s Strike & Women of Color@GWS – UK; Human Rights Defense Center – Lake Worth, Florida; Jewish Voice For Peace - Philadelphia; Philadelphia Coalition for REAL Justice; Sin Barras – Without (Prison) Bars – Santa Cruz; T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; WHAT’S UP?! Pittsburgh; Welfare Warriors; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – Philadelphia. Individual Endorsements: Pam Africa, International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal; Patrice Armstead, Building People’s Power and Coalition Demanding Reinstatement of Dr. Monteiro; Malik Aziz, Founder, Men United for a Better Philadelphia and Chairman, National Exhoodus Council; Pastor Antoinette Johnson, King Solomon Baptist Church; Dr. Anthony Monteiro; Rev. Bob Moore, Executive Director, Coalition for Peace Action (for id purposes only); Dr. Heather Ann Thompson, Professor of African American Studies & History, Temple University; Dr. Cornel West, Princeton University; Dr. Carla Willard, Africana Studies Program, Franklin & Marshall College.  Partnering with: AFSC Prison Watch.