[Ppnews] Defense Comm - Lynne Stewart conviction upheld

[Political Prisoner News]

 From Pat Levasseur of the Lynne Stewart Defense Commitee. For updates, 
check http://www.lynnestewart.org .

From: PatLevasseurP at aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 12:28:25 EDT
Subject: Judge Koeltl upheld the verdict against Lynne Stewart yesterday
To: PatLevasseurP at aol.com


Judge Koeltl upheld the verdict against Lynne Stewart yesterday. (The judge 
also upheld the verdicts against the two other defendants, Ahmed Abdel 
Sattar and Mohamed Yousry)  In  a 54 page ruling that recounted key 
evidence, U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl rejected all of Lynne 
Stewart's arguments that the Feb. 10 verdict should be tossed out.  In a 
separate ruling Judge Koeltl also rejected defense request for a new trial 
based on allegations that one juror lied about his past and that another 
juror had been unduly pressured to reach her verdict.

These decisions clear the way for the sentencing now scheduled for December 
22nd.  According to Joshua Dratel, one of the attorneys representing Lynne 
Stewart, said the material support statute "by its very nature, threatens 
to interfere with constitutional rights. . . and that "these issues we will 
again reassert on appeal.  We believe in them," he said.

We are saddened by the Judge's decision but not surprised.  It is rare when 
the trial judge overturns a jury verdict.  The tone of the decision is 
worrisome in terms of how it bodes for sentencing so we are bracing for the 
worst while continuing our efforts to demonstrate that Lynne's case is 
unique in the annals of the criminal justice system and that the Judge has 
discretion to sentence Lynne with compassion and 
consideration.  Consideration to Lynne's life time commitment to good works 
in the community on behalf of the poor and under represented.  While Lynne 
has been politically active all of her adult life, she is not a terrorist 
and should not be sentenced as such.  This is key because the terrorist 
enhancements in sentencing expose Lynne to life in prison.

Please help us continue our work on Lynne's behalf.  Help us to "not let 
her go silently into that dark night" ... which is a lengthy prison 
sentence.  Lynne's sentencing is currently scheduled for December 22nd.  A 
date when most people will be preparing for the holidays and when the news 
of Lynne's sentence would likely be buried and forgotten by many.  We won't 
let that happen!  Help us to continue our outreach and organizing - to keep 
Lynne Stewart's name and case in the public eye.  Keep Lynne Stewart Free!

The Lynne Stewart Defense Committee needs your financial support. Please 
help by donating whatever you can.  Make checks payable to The Lynne 
Stewart Defense Committee, 350 Broadway, Suite 700, New York, NY 
10013.  Tax deductible contributions can be made payable to The National 
Lawyers Guild Foundation and mailed to the same address. Just make sure to 
put Lynne Stewart on the memo line.  You can also donate on - line using 
PayPal by visiting our website at 
<http://www.lynnestewart.org>www.lynnestewart.org.

SAVE THE DATE

December 8th, 7 p.m.a Speak Out and Forum on Lynne Stewart's case will be 
held at The Community Church of New York.  Details and participants to be 
announced.
We  have a new DVD "The Struggle Continues" (an informative and poignant 
look at Lynne's case with interviews with Lynne, her family, colleagues and 
former clients - available for a $10 donation and new T-Shirts for $15.00 
as well as the NLG booklet: The Case of Lynne Stewart, a Justice Dept. 
Attack on the Bill of Rights. Please write to us at : 
<mailto:info at lynnestewart.org>info at lynnestewart.org Write to above address 
to request these items, you can obtain them at the website using PayPal or 
call 212-625-9696.








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