City Councilmember Charles Barron was back in court on Tuesday in Brooklyn for his participation in the May 2008 civil disobedience after the Sean Bell verdict. Barron has refused to take an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (ACD) that would have dropped his charges after 30 days. He is also refusing to pay any fines. In court on Tuesday in Brooklyn, Barron’s trial date was
adjourned for July 14.
Attorney for Barron, Rodger Wareham, brought eight blank DVDs to court in order to obtain footage of Barron’s arrest. Wareham said that the footage would be used to prepare for the July trial date.
Blasting Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hines, Barron says the district attorney should be “ashamed of himself.” Barron feels that Hynes is convicting him of what Martin Luther King Jr. did when he protested during the Civil Rights Movement.
“[Hynes] should never go into a Black church on Martin Luther King Day ever again,” Barron said. “He is prosecuting me for my constitutional right, which he praises Dr. Martin Luther King for. Why would you spend tax payer dollars to prosecute me?”
Barron said he refused to take the ACD because he felt Hynes was asking him to “be good for 30 days.” Barron wants his case completely dismissed, citing that there were many people who were arrested whose cases were dismissed.
“We should never allow him to come into our community again,” Barron said. Jerry Schmetterer, director of public information for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, said that the argument would continue in the courtroom. Not making comment in detail about the case, Schmetterer told the AmNews that Barron’s situation is similar to what King went through.
“The DA has pointed out that in the past, Martin Luther King was arrested and also went to jail,” he said. “We are preceding to trial.”