Download PDF of this full issue: v4n8.pdf (7.8 MB)

Riverside Update

By VVAW

The third trial of Gary Lawton and Zurbu Gardner (2 black men charged with the 1971 killing of 2 white policemen in Riverside, CA) is scheduled to begin on Sept. 24th. The first 2 trials ended with hung juries, and since the conclusion of the last trial, this third trial has continually been postponed by the prosecution as part of a general campaign of harassment. This recent postponement was granted because the former District Attorney and chief prosecutor is ill and the new prosecutor claimed he needed time to prepare for the trial. Under defense examination, however, the current prosecutor admitted he had been assigned to the case in June, but he did not notify the defense or court of this assignment (though he had numerous opportunities to do so).

In other Riverside developments, the trial of Chukia Lawton and Rusty Bronaugh ended with a hung jury. Both were charged with interfering with a police officer and Chukia was also charged with resisting arrest. These charges stem from a March police attack on defense committee members following a picket-line by Lawton-Gardner supporters. Chuika and Zurebu Gardner were both seriously injured in this brutal attack, and as a result, Chukia and Rusty were charged, tried and after 3 weeks in court, the trial ended with a hung jury. A re-trial is tentatively scheduled to begin on October 4th.

The trial of these 2 defense workers is a clear indication that the government will go to any lengths to repress the movement for the freedom of Gary and Zurebu. For more information on the Riverside trials and for the needed financial contributions, contact: RPPDC, PO Box 244, Riverside, CA 92502.