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Free The Gainesville 8

By VVAW

THE TRIAL

The Gainesvile 8 trial is progressing at a faster rate than was expected. The jury selection took less than 3 days, but though the selection was quick, the defense is very pleased with the jury make-up. The average age of the jurors is 31, with 8 of the jurors being under 30. Seven of the jurors are women, 3 are black and one is a Vietnam vet. Following the jury selection, the judge immediately sequestered the jury because of the 'unusual publicity' surrounding this case. Though the jury has not openly complained, it seems that these 12 people are not going to take events of this case lying down. During the second week of the trial, 5 jurors sent a letter to Judge Arnow stating that they suspected their phones were being tapped. The judge did an adequate job of ignoring the jurors request that the phones be examined, so the jury should now have an understanding of the workings of Arnow's concern for fairness in this trial.

Opening remarks began on Aug. 3rd, and centered around the political rationale behind this trial. 3 of the defendants (Bill Patterson, John Kniffin, Scott Camil) are acting as their own attorneys, and John and Scott delivered opening remarks. As John Kniffin told the jury: 'We have asked for an end to war and the government has called us traitor. We have asked for justice for all citizens and received police clubs. We have asked for justice and received an indictment.' The opening remarks were moving and succeeded in explaining the political repression which is spear-heading the Gainesville trial.

The first of the prosecution's witnesses was Charles Marshall, Camil's landlord. Marshall testified that Scott had told him about some of the plans to disrupt the Republican Convention. He also testified to being a former police officer, but that he is now a private detective. The defense has since discovered that Marshall was never a member of any police department and that his detective's license was revoked for non-payment of fees. The second witness, Joseph Fennell, testified that Scott had told him about marbles and ball bearings to be used as ammunition. He later testified that both he and Marshall had been briefed by the prosecution with regard to their testimony, and that Scott had discussed VVAW/WSO as a non-violent organization with him. It should be noted that Fennell ahs been under investigation for false bookkeeping and misspending of funds while director of the county housing authority. When the facts relating to the history of these two men became evident, the word of these witnesses will assuredly go down the drain, leaving all credibility behind.

Following these witnesses came the government's 'star' witness, Bill Lemmer, the informant responsible for the indictments. Lemmer testified that one of the defendants had told him he was organizing 'political assassination squads' armed by trading drugs for guns. These squads were to consist of fire teams to be trained on a Florida farm. At this point, the defense moved for a mistrial, stating that the testimony was 'inflammatory and prejudicial and irrelevant.' Naturally, the motion was denied.

The cross examination of Lemmer was filled with private hearings and bench discussions. The defense won the argument regarding Lemmer's medical history, and was allowed to question Lemmer on various illnesses he has suffered. However, the defense lost their argument to discuss Lemmer's activities as an FBI informant and agent-provocateur in the presence of the jury. During the cross-examination, Lemmer's history of depression, nightmares, periods of unconsciousness and amnesia were brought out, as was the fact that Lemmer was offered a psychiatric discharge from the Army. Lemmer admitted to all of the above, but couldn't recall the amnesia. He also admitted that he had consistently taken amphetamines and tranquilizers to combat his illnesses.

During the cross-examination regarding Lemmer's activities as an agent-provocateur, Lemmer denied everything which was brought up. He couldn't recall stating in April, 1972: 'Now is the time to break down into affinity groups and fire teams and go underground,' but this statement will be proved true when the defense puts its witnesses on the stand.

It is interesting to note that Lemmer seemed fairly well together during his testimony, but when it came his turn to be crossexamined, his stories rapidly fell apart. The prosecution continually asked for recesses, at which time Lemmer was taken into the hall where Guy Goodwin was waiting to give him answers to defense questions. The coaching of witnesses by the prosecution has already made itself evident to the jury. Arnow is making no moves to stop this coaching and the lines of defense have clearly been drawn. The repression and hostility of the court will continue, but the Gainesville 8 will finally be freed.

DEMONSTRATIONS

During the week of July 31st to August 4th, over 200 VVAW/WSO members from around the country traveled to Gainesville, Florida to participate in the five days of demonstrations which coincided with the beginning of the Gainesville 8 trial. The purpose of the week of demonstrations was to lend support to the eight defendants and to build support for these brothers, both within the Gainesville community and among the American people. With the five days of well-organized and disciplined actions, both of these objectives were accomplished.

The demonstrators spent their week in Gainesville educating the people of the community as to the true nature of conspiracy trials and the reasons behind the trumped-up charges which have been brought against the defendants and VVAW/WSO. VVAW/WSO members also leafleted and talked with the community people about the bombings of Cambodia and the fact that the U.S. is still heavily and agressively involved in the war in Indochina. Other leaflets centered around building support for the boycotts of Gulf Oil, lettuce and grapes, as well as the political necessity of universal and unconditional amnesty.

Besides the daily leafletting, the demonstators managed to pack the courtroom of Judge Arnow every day during their stay, and they came away with a good understanding of the workings of Arnow's kangaroo court. VVAW/WSO members also picketed A&P stores in solidarity with the United Farm Workers. Every evening during the week, silent candlelight marches were conducted to the Federal Building where late night vigils were held as a symbol of the lack of justice within our courts.

By the end of the week, things were in full swing in Gainesville. Friday, August 3rd, was the day of the People's Fair held at the Santa Fe Community College. The purpose of this fair was to invite the Gainesville community to come and meet with VVAW/WSO members and discuss the programs and projects of the organization. Approximately 400 people attended this People's Fair to view the booths which were set up explaining the particular projects that the various VVAW/WSO regions are involved in. Music and theater was also presented at this fair, and proved to be an effective method of political education. During the evening, VVAW/WSO played host to the people of Gainesville and a gigantic fish fry was held--the fish having been caught and frozen by the Tamp VVAW/WSO members. Following the People's Fair, a candlelight march was held, and people from the community joined with VVAW/WSO in the march to the Courthouse.

Saturday was the day of the mass march and rally. Over 450 participated in a silent march to the Federal Building which was led by four disabled veterans. When the Courthouse was reached shouts of ?Jail Nixon, Free the Gainesville 8? were heard and the defendants came out of the courtroom and joined the marchers which had assembled for their support. From the Courthouse, a spirited and disciplined march was conducted to the site of the afternoon rally.

The rally in support of the Gainesville 8 had approximately 800 participants. VVAW/WSO was fortunate enough to be joined by Tom Hayden (Chicago 7 defendant, Indochina Peace Campaign), Anthony Russo (Pentagon Papers defendant), Virginia Collins (Republic of South Africa) and Pete Seeger (people's singer), all of whom addressed the crowd and offered their full support of the Gainesville 8. Tony Russo referred to this trial as ?the biggest act of hypocrisy the government has ever tried to perpetrate.? This large afternoon rally was the final climax of a very successful and energetic week of demonstrations.

Support was not only exhibited in Gainesville during this week. VVAW/WSO chapters across the country organized support demonstrations for those who were unable to travel to Gainesville. Rallies, guerilla theater, marches and leafletting were conducted in St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles for the purpose of building support for the Gainesville 8. The response of people around the country as they offered support to the defendants was overwhelming. Hopefully, this spirit of solidarity will continue until the Gainesville 8 are freed.