[Peace-discuss] A Timeline of the Patrick Thompson Case

[Brian Dolinar]

*A Timeline of the Patrick Thompson Case*

Spring* *2003: Patrick Thompson released from a federal penitentiary after
serving ten years for drug trafficking.

Fall 2003: Visionaries Educating Youth and Adults (VEYA) formed by black
community activists Patrick Thompson and Martel Miller.  Beginning with
mentoring programs, Thompson and Miller soon realize that constant
confrontations with police impede the education of black youth.

March 26, 2004: VEYA writes a letter to Champaign Police Chief, Mayor, and
City Manager to notify them that they are starting to videotape police
during routine traffic stops.

April 2004: *Citizen's Watch *videotaping begins.

August 23, 2004: Martel Miller indicted on two counts of felony
eavesdropping on Champaign Police.

August 24, 2004: Patrick Thompson accused of sexual abuse and home invasion
by his next door neighbor, a white woman.  Bail for Thompson is set at
$250,000 (04CF1571).

August 25, 2006: *Citizen's Watch *video documentary is seized by Urbana
Police, they claim for use as evidence in eavesdropping charges.

September 2, 2006: Thompson charged with felony eavesdropping.

September 11 and 12, 2004: *Citizen's Watch* documentary film is shown at
Champaign Public Library and Boardman's Art Theater to packed audiences.

September 25, 2004: Eavesdropping charges are dropped against Miller, but
not against Thompson.

December 1, 2004: After running her campaign on Thompson's case, new State's
Attorney Julia Rietz drops eavesdropping charges against Thompson, but
charges of sexual abuse and home invasion remain.  Rietz later withdraws
from the case, which Presiding Judge Tom Difanis then gives to Special
Prosecutor Michael Vujovich.  After three months in jail, Thompson is
released on his own recognizance.

June 20, 2005: Thompson and Miller file a pro se federal civil law suit
against Champaign, Urbana, and Champaign County claiming their civil rights
were violated when police seized their video equipment.

July 18-20, 2005: Thompson defends himself pro se in *first trial* before an
all-white jury.  Trial ends in a hung jury and is declared a mistrial.

October 2005: Thompson hires Urbana attorney Harvey Welch for second trial.

February 2006: Community Court Watch, a coalition of civil rights
organizations, forms to support Thompson and address double standards in the
criminal justice system.

July 5-7, 2006: *Second trial* takes place.  Prosecution brings six
witnesses to the stand.  Defense attorney Harvey Welch presents one witness.
Jury arrives at guilty verdict for sexual abuse and home invasion.  Thompson
faces 6-30 years in prison.

August 7, 2006: Thompson fires Welch and new attorneys Bob Kirchner and Ruth
Wyman file a motion for re-trial.

January 5, 2007 and February 7, 2007: Witnesses are heard in post-trial
motion.

April 24, 2007: Thompson granted a new trial.

May 22, 2007: Next court date at 11 a.m. in Courtroom A.
-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com
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