Update
(from a friend, who posted in the comments at Howard Empowered.)
The Alachua Project site announced this morning that the depositions of City officials has begun at City Hall (their own territory) this morning and the defendants all objected to Charlie being present even though he is a key investigator in this and is a plaintiff.
Charlie's banishment from the City of Alachua has cost him very much to date. He put all of his resources and money into this battle rather than his personal affairs and his election campaign.
He had to remove himself from the race for the State legislature because he is refusing the deal offered by the State Attorney. He has not been able to relocate to a new home. He has not been able to work. His finances are in really bad shape as a result and his health is not much better. He is sacrificing everything to fight this battle.
If anyone has a chance to give him a call please do so. He can use our support right now.
Go to the free alachua site to see the post.
The Alachua Project site announced this morning that the depositions of City officials has begun at City Hall (their own territory) this morning and the defendants all objected to Charlie being present even though he is a key investigator in this and is a plaintiff.
Charlie's banishment from the City of Alachua has cost him very much to date. He put all of his resources and money into this battle rather than his personal affairs and his election campaign.
He had to remove himself from the race for the State legislature because he is refusing the deal offered by the State Attorney. He has not been able to relocate to a new home. He has not been able to work. His finances are in really bad shape as a result and his health is not much better. He is sacrificing everything to fight this battle.
If anyone has a chance to give him a call please do so. He can use our support right now.
Go to the free alachua site to see the post.
posted by Catreona at 8/09/2006 11:25:00 AM
2 Comments:
PLEASE FORWARD AND RE-POST!!
CHARLIE GOES TO TRIAL MONDAY!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Wednesday November 8, 2006
Ad Hoc Committee for the Legal Defense of Charlie Grapski
Contacts:
Carol Thomas 386-418-3791
Michael Canney 352-871-1991
GRAPSKI TURNS DOWN STATE ATTORNEY'S SETTLEMENT OFFER,
TRIAL STARTS MONDAY ON BOGUS "WIRETAP" CHARGE
Gainesville, FL – Former University of Florida instructor Charlie Grapski will face a third degree felony wiretapping charge in Circuit Court on Monday November 13. The trial is already steeped in local politics, and Grapski's prosecution stems from his May 1 arrest at Alachua City Hall. Grapski was there attempting to inspect public records related to a city commission election that is being challenged in a citizens' lawsuit.
On Wednesday November 8, Grapski turned down an offer by the State Attorney to settle the case out of court, and as a result he will be going to trial on Monday November 13 in Circuit Court in Gainesville.
"Their offer would have been reasonable had I done something wrong," Charlie Grapski said of the settlement offer made to him by State Attorney Bill Cervone and Assistant State Attorney Geoff Fleck during a meeting in the State Attorney's office on Wednesday, where the defendant met with his prosecutors to discuss his case.
"The terms of the settlement I was offered were absurd. In essence, they were asking me to forfeit my First Amendment rights for a year, in return for having these trumped up charges dismissed," Grapski said. "I made the State Attorneys a very reasonable offer, but they weren't interested in cooperating with me to ensure I have a fair trial."
Grapski, who is representing himself in the trial, was forced to dismiss Gainesville criminal defense attorney Craig DeThomasis as his counsel after the attorney demanded an additional $40,000 retainer before doing any further work on the case.
Grapski's supporters have organized an ad hoc Grapski Defense Committee and the group will host a potluck dinner and fundraiser at the Civic Media Center next Saturday, with local singer-songwriter Lars Din performing. Funds are still needed to pay for transcripts and depositions, and there will be a minimum $5 donation at the door.
For more information:
State Attorney's offer to Charlie: http://grapskidefense.org/files/legalarchive/wiretapcase/stateattorney/DP.pdf
Charlie's offer to State Attorney: http://grapskidefense.org/files/legalarchive/wiretapcase/grapski/offertofleck.pdf
CMC fundraiser flyer: http://www.gvillemusic.com/
Web: http://grapskidefense.org
Also: www.freealachua.org and www.highspringsherald.com (search the Herald archives for "grapski alachua")
# # #
BREAKING NEWS!
GRAPSKI TRIAL UPDATE
JURY SELECTION WAS COMPLETED MONDAY,
TRIAL BEGINS THURSDAY MORNING
AUDIO FILE OF CHARLIE'S "ILLEGAL" RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE - LISTEN at www.grapskidefense.org and read the transcript.
In May everyone heard about Charlie's arrest in Alachua City Hall on trumped-up charges of felony wiretapping. Most people thought the arrest by Clovis Watson was politically motivated, and few imagined it would ever come to trial. The State Attorney, obviously under pressure from political interests to cover for Watson and the Alachua officials, filed the charge on October 5. The jury was seated on Monday, and the trial will take place on Thursday. Visit the Grapski Defense website for up to date information on the case.
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