Battle Over the Release of Accused Lab Raid Conspirator

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University of Iowa Break-In

Just as a judge ordered the release of a man accused of the Animal Liberation Front break-in at the University of Iowa, the prosecution filed an emergency appeal requesting his continued imprisonment. Here’s the story so far:

On November 17^th, Scott DeMuth refused to testify before a grand jury investigating a 2004 Animal Liberation Front action in Iowa, and was jailed for contempt.

On November 18^th, although it appeared the statute of limitations had, or was about to, expire, prosecutors rushed through a last-minute indictment charging Minneapolis resident Scott Demuth (17 at the time of the raid) with a role in the liberation.

Details on the case against DeMuth began to emerge. On November 20th, DeMuth plead not guilty at this arraignment. Central to their case, the prosecution said at the hearing, were two pieces of evidence.

One, a lock pick set seized from DeMuth’s home during a police search related to the Republican National Convention protests in 2008. Prosecutors highlighted masked activists in the film of the A.L.F. raid are seeing using lock picks to access the labs.

Two, a diary also seized during the police raid. In the journal, prosecutors stated they found evidence linking him to the 2004 Animal Liberation Front action.

Prosecutors also focused on references in the journal to an alleged associate of DeMuth’s, identified in the journal only as “P”. They asserted “P” was me, arguing I was a “fugitive from justice” for 7 years, and this alleged relationship (Scott and I have never met) with someone who was “underground” made Scott a flight risk. He was held in an Iowa jail.

Judge Orders DeMuth Released

On November 24th, Judge Shields ordered DeMuth released from jail to house arrest, pending trial. The order shed additional light on the case against Scott. Regarding the heavily circulated 50-minute video of the break-in, the Judge’s order states:

“[FBI agent] Reinwart was of the opinion that one of these individuals had a resemblance in terms of physique and stature with Demuth.”

He went on to state the FBI agent “did not testify that he knew Demuth participated in the occurrence.” DeMuth was being held on terrorism charges, while the most substantive allegation was his “resemblance” to individuals wearing ski masks in a grainy film.

(more…)

Interview with Jailed Grand Jury Prisoner Carrie Feldman

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On November 17th, Minneapolis residents Carrie Feldman and Scott DeMuth were jailed for refusing to testify at a grand jury in Davenport, Iowa. It is believed the grand jury is investigating and seeking to indict persons unknown for the Animal Liberation Front raid of the University of Iowa in 2004. 401 animals were liberated in the overnight break in, and nearly $500,000 damage was done to the labs.

The jailing of the two activists (15 and 17 at the time of the raid, respectively) received heavy media attention. Before her grand jury appearance on Tuesday, I did a short interview with Carrie on the her experience at her first Iowa grand jury experience several weeks prior. While most grand jury coverage has focused on the principles behind grand jury resistance, I wanted to ask Carrie about the experience itself: What they asked, how she was subpoenaed, and more.

Please visit the Support Carrie and Scott website to find out how you can support the both of them for their noble acts of grand jury non-participation.

Animal Liberation Front-line: Tell us how you were served with the subpoena.

Carrie: I was subpoenaed on a Tuesday around 5:00, just after leaving my house. Looking back I had stayed in most of the day because I was hanging out with a friend who was in town, so I wonder if they were waiting outside my house all day for me to come out. I had only gone about two or three blocks when I saw police lights flashing in my rear view mirror. I thought it was just a traffic stop or one of those awkward times when a cop is right behind you and turns on their lights to do something else. So I pulled over to let them pass, but soon realized that it was a black SUV, and they pulled over right behind me.
(more…)

Sentencing Day for BJ Viehl: The Full Report

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Report From William “BJ” Viehl’s Sentencing

November 12^th, 2009

On November 12^th, 2009, both activists and fur farmers converged on the federal courthouse on downtown Salt Lake City to attend the sentencing for William “BJ” Viehl’s. Having pleaded guilty, BJ was to be sentenced for the release of 600 mink from the nearby McMullin Fur Farm. This was the first sentencing under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, and the first for a non-turncoat accused A.L.F. activist (for an A.L.F. action) in over two years.

I had the good fortune of visiting BJ in jail the previous day in what we hoped we be his last jail visit ever. He explained to me the expectation of both himself and his attorney at the sentencing was a sentence of no more than six months. With credit for time served, he expected to be out in one month, at most.

In the plea agreement, the prosecution agreed to recommend the low end of the guidelines. The AETA has been the subject of much hype, among the criticisms being the harsh sentences imposed for property crimes. A close look at the guidelines however finds that, within a narrow margin of “damage”(the dollar amount being the prime determinate of sentencing guideline placement), the AETA still remains potentially a lesser threat than charges for the same crimes at the state level.

In BJ’s case, the guidelines called for six to ten months. With the prosecution recommending six months, and the judge’s history of adhering to the guidelines, BJ expected to be released from jail in no more than one month. While the guidelines were discretionary, BJ was hopeful for being released that day.

Present at the hearing were approximately a dozen friends and supporters of BJ, as well as his wife and mother. The opposite side of the aisle was occupied by what we all speculated – by their weight and dress – were fur farmers. We would later learn Chris Valco (general manager of the Fur Breeder’s Agricultural Co-op) and Ryan Holt (3,000 mink released from his South Jordan farm in 1996) were among them.

Judge Benson entered the courtroom and the proceeding began. (more…)

Sentencing Day for Accused A.L.F. Activist

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BJ Viehl will be sentenced on November 12th at 2pm for his role in releasing 600 mink from a fur farm in South Jordan, Utah.

This is the first sentencing for a non-turncoat, accused Animal Liberation Front activist (for an A.L.F. action) in over two years. This will also be the first guilty plea under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. Please spread the word on this significant date.

There are many possible outcomes for the November 12th date. His lawyers are stating it is a possibility BJ will walk free from court that day. As part of the plea deal, the prosecution will recommend the low end of the sentencing guidelines, making immediate release a possibility. Ultimately, the judge will decide the sentence deemed “appropriate” for the liberation of 600 captives of the McMullin Fur Farm death camp in South Jordan, Utah.

Coming soon, I will publish an in depth account of the case against BJ and Alex. The article will include a synopsis of all the evidence which lead to their indictment, including many details never made public.

BJ accepted a non-cooperating plea deal for his role in this release. This Thursday, he will be sentenced. Please be there to support him for putting himself on the line for the animals.

Please come *dressed appropriately* for court.

US Federal Court
350 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT
Thursday, November 12th
2pm sharp.

Case background:
www.supportbjandalex.com

Welcome Home Jake: 4th SHAC 7 Prisoner Released

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News to celebrate: After 3 years, Jake Conroy has been released from prison. Two more SHAC 7 prisoners to go.

Jake has been released to a halfway house in the San Francisco Bay Area. In order to be released from the halfway house for the holidays, Jake needs full-time employment. He is skilled at graphic design and computer-related work, among many other skills.

To help with employment, or to contact Jake directly, email:

info@supportjake.org

Please don’t forget about his co-defendants Lauren Gazzola and Kevin Kjonaas, who are still inside prison, and all the other animal and earth lib prisoners.

SHAC 7 Defendant: Letter Regarding Jake Conroy

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Longtime animal rights activist and current SHAC prisoner (and the best man on the megaphone at some of the earliest protests I ever attended) Jake Conroy is slated from release November 6th. Below is a letter from Jake’s partner on Jake’s release and what we can do to help.

I recall how significant employment was in preparing for my release from prison. Jake is seeking to be released to the San Francisco Bay Area.  When prisoners wish to be released to cities where they have no family, and do not have a long history, they must make a strong case to the Bureau of Prisons as to what ties they have to the region. Having pre-arranged employment is crucial. And, the sooner Jake has employment, the sooner he will be out of the halfway house and back out with us.

If you have contacts, or are in a position to hire Jake, contact andrea@nocompromise.org.

– Peter Young

“Dear Friends,

Activist Jake Conroy is set to be released from prison to a halfway house
on November 6th. In order to be allowed to leave the halfway house for
“home visits” and, ultimately, to come home quickly, he needs to obtain a
full time job.  Jake is going to be sent to a halfway house in the Bay
Area in California. (more…)

SHAC Appeal Denied

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In loving memory of the U.S. Constitution

Almost three years since the imprisonment of the SHAC 7, the verdict has just come in from the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. With one dissenting opinion, their conviction has been upheld.

“The overarching issues in this appeal are whether the
AEPA violates the First Amendment, whether there was
sufficient evidence to convict Defendants of the various charges
against them, and challenges to the jury instructions. Because
we find that the AEPA is neither unconstitutional on its face, nor
unconstitutional as-applied to SHAC, Kjonaas, Gazzola,
Conroy, Stepanian, Harper and Fullmer, we will affirm their
convictions for conspiracy to violate the AEPA. In addition, we
find that there was sufficient evidence to convict Defendants on
all charges involving interstate stalking. Finally, we find no
flaw in the jury instructions, and we will therefore affirm the
Judgment of the District Court in all other respects.”

The sadness and injustice of this news will not be captured by words on a screen. I will forgo analysis, and leave anyone wishing to, to read the verdict themselves:

SHAC Appeal Decision

New Vegan Prisoner Update: Steve Murphy

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As a follow up to the previous post, the news is now out: Steve Murphy is being charged with a 2006 E.L.F. action in Pasadena, CA. The criminal complaint accusing Steve of this action can be viewed here. Read the complaint to receive a glimpse into the investigative tactics of the FBI, and learn how people are linked to crimes (without speculating on the validity of the accusations here). In reading such documents, important lessons are learned.

Steve is a vegan, and is having difficulty with food in the jail where he is being held in Ft Worth, TX. In a phone call, he reported he had so far had only one meal of pasta and iceberg lettuce at the jail. He has asked the no calls be made on his behalf just yet while he attempts to remedy the situation from the inside. However, calls to the jail may be needed in the near future to secure Steve a vegan diet. Phone numbers will be posted here as soon as Steve and his support team decide this is the proper course of action.

Until then, write Steve a letter:

Steve Murphy #39013177
FCI FORT WORTH
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 15330
FORT WORTH, TX 76119

-Peter Young

Activist arrested on arson charges for Los Angeles ELF action

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Information is unclear at the moment, but this is what we have:
Steve Murphy, an animal rights activist, was arrested on Wednesday, September 30th, in Texas on federal arson charges. He is charged in the Central District of California (Los Angeles). The charges may or may not be related to animal liberation activity. Nothing is yet confirmed, but I feel it is important to get this information out as quickly as possible to support a fellow activist in jail.

Steve has an extradition hearing tomorrow at 1:30om central time. They are seeking to extradite him to California.

Steve is being held in the Tarrant County Jail in Texas. For information on his status, visiting times, etc, visit the Tarrant County Inmate Search Page, and search for Steven Murphy, CID #0758945

Please write him a letter of support immediately. The early days of an activist’s incarceration are the most crucial:

Steve Murphy CID #0758945
C/O Tarrant County Jail
100 N. Lamar
Fort Worth, TX. 76102

More information will be posted as it is available. I expect if this is related to animal rights activity, it will be reported in the media heavily in the coming hours.

Peter Young

Prisoner of War: Support Kevin Olliff

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Kevin Olliff

Kevin Olliff’s case has not been receiving it’s due attention in the shadow of other recent cases (such as the AETA 4), yet Kevin’s is among the more serious.

Kevin sits in LA County jail on 10 felony counts for basic protest activity. He faces a collection of stalking and conspiracy charges for what, by any reasonable measure, was nothing more than alleged attendence of home demonstrations targeting POM Wonderful (juice company which tested on animals) executives and UCLA researchers. Any of us could be Kevin.

Kevin has been unable to make his $460,000 bail, and has been in jail in Los Angeles since April. Like the AETA 4 case, the precedent which would be set by a successful conviction of Kevin Olliff is an unnerving move towards the total crimilization of protest activity.

When this happens, the only option left to those willing to fight for a better world will no longer be that which is legal, but that which is most efficient and clandestine. Those animal abusers who champion continued erosion of protected speech activity may very well find that, when left with no legal avenues to affect change, activists increasingly resort to more extreme – and potentially more effective – tactics.

Please stay updated on Kevin’s case at his new support page:

Visit the Support Kevin Page

And please write him a letter:

KEVIN OLLIFF, #1300931
TTCF 161 D-POD
450 BAUCHET ST.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

-Peter Young

Statement From Accused Mink Liberator William Viehl

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After months in jail, William “BJ” Viehl has plead guilty the the release of 600 mink from the McMullin Fur Farm (10495 S 1540 W South Jordan, UT). Below is his statement regarding this development.

“Greetings everyone! Thanks to all who have shown love and support
throughout mine, and Alex’s incarceration. We hope you all understand how
much appreciation, and love we both have for all of our supporters. apart
from my thanks, I felt it would be a good time for an update on my case. (more…)

Write Accused Utah Mink Liberators BJ and Alex

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We just received the most recently arrested activist Alex Hall’s mailing address. Please send him and BJ a letter and let them know the animal liberation movement has his back:

Alex Hall
Inmate #2009-06304
Davis County Jail
800 West State St.
Farmington, UT 84025

William James Viehl
Inmate #2009-05735
Davis County Jail
800 West State St.
Farmington, UT 84025

-Peter Young