Raleigh Police Conducts Surveillance on Moral Monday Protesters

The first trial of a Moral Monday protester took place on Friday, October 4. The protester was found guilty in District Court of all charges and immediately appealed the conviction to Wake County Superior Court. Should the case proceed to a jury trial, it could take at least a year or longer before the there is a trial. Also, information came out during the trial that the Raleigh Police Department conducted undercover surveillance at the meetings of the North Carolina Chapter of the NAACP. Defense attorneys are likely to make motions in order to get all of the police reports related to the surveillance. It will be interesting to see what information comes to light from this documentation and if it will give arrested protesters any type of viable defense. Also, should there be improper conduct by the Raleigh Police Department or the State Capitol Police there is a possibility of a lawsuit, given the political nature of this case.

The Wake County District Attorney’s Office has made the determination that the prosecutions of Moral Monday protesters will continue. However, if negative information about police surveillance techniques comes to light, the DA’s Office will have some tough decisions to make. The prosecutions of the protesters will be ultimately be highly expensive and if they are convicted in District Court, most will likely appeal to Superior Court for a jury trial. The amount of time and money expended in the prosecution of the protesters will far outweigh any punishment they are given. Check back here periodically for updates on the Moral Monday Prosecutions.

http://www.wral.com/apnewsbreak-cops-spied-on-moral-monday-protesters/12969245/