[Peace] Re: [Announce] Home Invasion Charges Dropped!!!

[Marti Wilkinson]

I'm going to be out of town tomorrow, but wanted to let everyone know that
my thoughts are with Patrick...Marti

On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 6:56 PM, Brian Dolinar <briandolinar at gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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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>
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>
>
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