[Peace] Home Invasion Charges Dropped!!!

[Brian Dolinar]

Wednesday afternoon, after the State rested, defense attorney Bob Kirchner
argued that they had not proved their case and Judge Clem ruled the home
invasion charges against Patrick Thompson be dismissed. The charge of sexual
abuse still stands and proceedings will continue Thursday. But the charges
of home invasion, carrying a mandatory sentence of 6-30 years, have been
dropped. Thompson no longer faces a long-term prison sentence.

It was an emotional moment, Thompson broke down crying, and after recess he
rushed to embrace his long-time friend Martel Miller in the courtroom.
Thompson's supporters were all relieved, but there remains further defense
witnesses Thursday and a verdict on the sexual abuse charge is expected as
early as early Thursday afternoon.

Wednesday morning, the accuser returned to the stand. After questioning by
the State, she was cross-examined by Bob Kirchner. He asked about the
several inconsistent statements made during the four times she testified:
July 2005, July 2006, September 2007, and the current 2008 trial. Before,
she had testified that Thompson had trapped her in the laundry room. Another
time she said she first saw him at the railing in front of his apartment.
One time she testified that she had her laundry in a basket, another time
she said she was carrying it in her arms. She had told Urbana officer
Michael Hediger, and it reads in the police report, that she was "yelling"
and "screaming" which she did not mention in this week's testimony.

When asked about these inconsistencies, the accuser's response was the same,
"I don't remember," which she stated repeatedly.

She was asked if she grabbed an iron that she admitted was nearby because
she was planning to iron her work uniform. She was asked if she attempted to
close the bedroom door, or to lock herself in the bathroom and call the
police on her cell phone which she had with her. Her responses were no.

Asked about a hand splint that Thompson appears to have been wearing at the
time, she said she never saw it.

Vujovich called other witnesses: Anthony Bates, the accuser's boyfriend and
co-worker at Provena at the time of the alleged incident; Gary Johnson,
friend and co-worker; Bessie Ann Cisne and Arlene Mefford, who worked at the
desk on the 7th floor of Provena where the accuser was a housekeeper. They
testified that they saw the accuser that morning, "shaking," "crying,"
"upset," and "very troubled."

After all the State's witnesses testified, Vujovich rested his case.
Kirchner then motioned for a directed verdict on the two counts, arguing
that the State had not proved its case on the charges of home invasion or
sexual abuse.

It looked like a long shot. But in a miraculous turn of events, Judge Clem
allowed Kirchner's motion and dismissed the charge of home invasion. Of all
things, he ruled that the state had not proven that Patrick Thompson was not
a police officer!

Vujovich attempted to argue that he had not closed his case, but an angry
Judge Clem said that he would not allow that kind of "gamesmanship."

Vujovich looked defeated. After recess, he returned to the back of the
courtroom, sat behind the *News-Gazette*'s Mary Schenk (who decided to show
up today), and placed his chin on folded arms on the back of a chair.

Patrick Thompson and his supporters were elated.

Returning to court, the defense called two witnesses, Sheriff's Deputy
Thomas Tarr and jail nurse Susan Fricke, who testified that Thompson was
wearing a splint on his right hand.

The charges of sexual abuse still stand and witnesses will testify beginning
Thursday morning at 9 a.m. A verdict could be reached as soon as Thursday
afternoon.
We're calling all CU Citizens for Peace and Justice to come out Thursday and
show your support for Patrick!

Peace, BD
-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com
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