Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000 14:59:41 -0400
From: Chuck0 <chuck-AT-tao.ca>
Subject: Fwd: Update on Camille Viveiros



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Update on Camille Viveiros
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000 14:15:20 -0400
From: Mark Laskey <kronstadt-AT-juno.com>


==========================================================
(1) Update from the "Friends of Camilo" group
(2) article from the Philadelphia Inquirer on the 'Timoney 3' 

==========================================================
Friends of Camilo
PO Box 58247
Philadelphia, PA 19102
email: stayingstrong-AT-hotmail.com

October 13, 2000

Dear Friends,

This letter is being sent to you as an update on the latest proceedings
in Camilo Viveiros' case stemming from his arrest during the Republican
National Convention in Philadelphia on August 1st. For those of you who
sent donations and letters of support, we sincerely thank you. Your
caring has been key to our survival.

In mid-September we found a lawyer, Robert Levant. He is a hard worker
with a good reputation. We believe he will fight hard for Camilo and we
have found our dealings with him thus far to be impressive. It is still
to early in the case to have a legal strategy completely mapped out. As
the defense develops, we will be contacting people and letting them know
specific ways they can be of assistance. We are trying to compile a list
of character witnesses. These should be people that know Camilo fairly
well through work or personal acquaintance. Character witnesses need not
speak to Camilo's charges, only to his reputation in the community.
Please contact us if you feel you fit this discription and would be
willing to testify on Camilo's behalf.

Camilo's case has been held up for over a month while the prosecutor' s
office asked for continuances in order to compile their discovery (the
evidence they will be using during the trial). On October 12th, Camilo's
lawyer and his co-defendants' lawyers argued to have many of the charges
dropped in these cases. Camilo's charges were reduced from 7 felonies
and
11 misdemeanors to 2 felonies and 3 misdemeanors. Most importantly, his
1st degree felony assault was reduced to a 2nd degree felony, and the
allegation of assault against police commissioner Timoney was reduced to
a misdemeanor charge. On top of all this good news, he was assigned a
judge whom is considered "fair". 

This news is definitely encouraging although the struggle is hardly over
as Camilo is still facing very serious allegations. Sentencing for these
charges is considerably less, but he still faces a possible sentence of
15-30 years (as opposed to 20-60 years). We must continue to fight to
ensure that Camilo does not spend even one day behind bars. November 2nd
is Camilo's next court date. The District Attorney can file an appeal to
have the charges reinstated during those proceedings. We need to hope
for
the best, but prepare for the worst.

If you have not written a letter of support, you are not too late. They
can still play a valuable role in getting the word out about Camilo's
true character. We have ammended the guidelines for writing a letter
slightly. We are now requesting that all letters be mailed directly to
us
(two originals), and addressed to "To Whom It May Concern" so that we
can
use them for a variety of purposes. Fundraising continues to be a
priority. We are also interested in ideas for speaking engagements or
other opportunities for spreading the word. 

Thank you once again for the overwhelming amount of support and
resistance that has been mobilized on Camilo's behalf. Your kind words
and generosity helps lift our spirits and carry us forward in this
struggle.

Together there is hope,

Mimi (Friends of Camilo)

===============================================================
Legal defense funds for Camilo can still be sent to:

Sabate Anarchist Collective
PO Box 230685
Boston, MA 02123
     
(please earmark any donations "attn: R2K Legal Defense" and make checks
or money orders out to "S. Hyland")

===============================================================
Most Charges Against 'Timoney 3' Protesters Thrown Out 

by Linda K. Harris (Inquirer Staff Writer), 
Philadelphia Inquirer, Friday, October 12, 2000

Characterizing their actions as "stupid teenage behavior," a Common
Pleas
Court judge yesterday threw out dozens of charges against three
protesters who allegedly tussled with Police Commissioner John F.
Timoney
and other officers during the Republican National Convention. 

Judge Pamela P. Dembe dismissed all feloney charges relating to the
assault on Timoney but upheld those pertaining to officers Clyde Fraser
and Raymond Felder, who suffered a concussion in the melee. A
misdemeanor
assault charge in the Timoney fracas was upheld. 

"I was a little disappointed,: Timoney said of the judge's decision.
"The
underlying conspiracy charge was dropped. I was at the scene. I saw what
went on. The officer was knocked unconscious. They were acting together.
I wish the judge had been there to see it."

The men charged -- Darby Landy, 20; Eric Steinberg, 22; and Camilo
Viveiros, 29 -- were arrested August 1, the second and most boisterous
day of the convention. They were held on $450,000 bail each. 

The hearings were conducted yesterday in response to defense attorney's
request that charges be dropped. The lawyers were pleased with the
rulings.

"The judge looked at the transcript, and the allegations were
drastically
exaggerated," said Robert J. Levant, attorney for Viveiros.

Cathie Abookire, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham,
said her office disagreed with the judge's decision to throw out the
various charges. 

"Right now, we're reviewing our options," she said.

The highly publicized incident in which the three were charged occurred
in the 200 block of South 17th Steet, when a small police bicycle
brigade, with Timoney at the helm, broke up a rowdy gathering that
included bicycle tossing. 

Camille Viverios, an advocate for the Massachusetts Alliance of HUD
Tenants, from Somerset, Mass., was originally charged with seven
felonies
and 11 misdemeanors. He will be tried on charges of aggravated assault
and riot, both felonies, and misdemeanor charges of simple assault,
resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. A pre-trial conference was set
for November 2. 

Eric Steinberg, a student at the University of the Arts, from Memphis,
Tenn., will face trial on one count of second-degree aggravated assault,
a felony, and two misdemeanor counts each of resisting arrest and
disorderly conduct. Steinberg's assault charge involved Fraser, who
testified during the preliminary hearing that he he punched Steinberg
when he charged at police with his bicycle raised over his head. Sixteen
other charges against Steinberg were dropped. A pre-trial conference was
scheduled for October 26. 

Darby Landy, of Raleigh, N.C., will face trial on charges of resisting
arrest, disorderly conduct, and attempted theft of a bicycle, all
misdemeanors. The 20 other charges against him, including seven felony
charges, were thrown out. His trial is set for November 2, in Municipal
Court.

Also yesterday, Dembe ordered that the District Attorney's Office turn
over hundreds of hours of videotape made by police on August 1. She gave
them 72 hours to comply. 

Shawn Nolan of the public defender's office made the request yesterdaty
in the case of protester Matthew Berg, 19, a student at the University
of
Indiana who faces a felony charge of aggravated assault in a seperate
incident at 16th and Locust Streets that day.  
________________________________________________________________
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