It's Over, Otten Found Not Guilty

It's Over, Otten Found Not Guilty
by Eric Gold, Independent Reporter
February 23, 2004

Washington, DC -- Chris Otten left DC Superior Court relieved today to find Judge Eugene Hamilton, former Chief Judge of the DC Superior Court, issue a verdict of not guilty to a courtroom consisting of Constitutional Rights supporters.

Otten was at first asked by the court to continue the case again when the judge found out that his public attorney advisor was not able to be there. He responded with a firm request to finish the trial today and the Judge complied.

After submitting as evidence a diagram and pictures he used back at an August hearing to depict the crime scene near Cafe Mawonaj, 6th and T Streets, NW, Otten rested his case. The prosecution remained steadfast in their position to try Otten for the crime of Disorderly Conduct in the closing argument attempted to show that Otten was loud and boisterous and caused a breach of the peace.

Tying examples of overcoming oppression to his arrest and subsequent harassment, Otten made a strong statement for Constitutional Rights. His remarks alluded to Shay's Rebellion and the insurgency of the Minute Men against the imperialist English. He also cited a 1987 Supreme Court ruling whereby the majority found "The freedom of individuals verbally to oppose or challenge police action without thereby risking arrest is one of the principal characteristics by which we distinguish a free nation from a police state."

Judge Hamilton questioned Otten for several minutes grilling him about his desire to "interject" in cop affairs. Otten reaffirmed for the judge his right to merely observe and ask questions of the police. The Judge soon after gave a not guilty ruling and Otten and his supporters celebrated by taking pictures outside the court entrance.

Before leaving Otten stated, "With the support I have gotten over these 12 months I had to go forward and win. It is our right and civic duty to know the law and to be able to defend oneself as Cicero proudly felt. I thank my witnesses for testifying and all of the legal support from a variety of community sources. I did this for me, my family, and you."

Otten plans to eventually release all the documents associated with this incident and begin filing appropriate motions so to conduct a civil trial.

The illegal arrest happened in front of Cafe Mawonaj in March 2004
1) http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/92048
2) http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/103984
3) http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/106371

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