Near the end of March, Judge Teresa Warner proclaimed her ruling on the prosecution’s problematic proposed protective order, which was one of the main topics of last month’s proceedings.  The ruling is about as favorable as could be expected, with the main point being that the eight will be able to receive their own copies of the discovery against them–rather than being forced to view it only in the offices of their attorneys, as the prosecution wished.  The eight and their attorneys will have to sign a waiver prohibiting dissemination of the contents.

This batch of discovery – an entire 40 CDs and 40 DVDs worth – was produced by the procrastinating prosecutors a couple days after the promised March 31 deadline.  Because the investigation is still active, the discovery can and does include so-called “evidence” gathered as recently as this month, and more discovery may be provided as it is, well, discovered.  However, prosecutor Heidi Westby is refusing to release a handful of the discs of evidence, instead asking the eight and their attorneys to come downtown to view it.  This appears to be in defiance of the order by Judge Warner.

Remember, folks: “active investigation” means the clicking noise on your phone might be the FBI, the zooming noise you hear might be Bob Fletcher’s telephoto lens outside your house, and that sucking sound all around is money being drained from social services in order to provocatively prosecute protesters as terrorists.  Oh, and that howl of outrage and solidarity is coming from the thousands of people proudly proclaiming their support for the RNC 8, while learning how to fight pernicious prowling police tactics, to boot.

No next court dates are scheduled at this time. UPDATE: The next court date is now scheduled for May 26 at 9am in Ramsey County District Court. If Susan Gaertner’s office doesn’t drop the charges, prognosticators expect trial in September at the earliest, but more likely later in the fall.

See also: April 9, 2009–Gaertner Drops Terrorism Charges, Continues Criminalization of Dissent

Tags: Bob Fletcher, FBI, heidi westby, legal, RNC 8, RNC Eight, RNC8, Susan Gaertner, susan gaertner for governor, teresa warner