On November 3, 2006, Reverend Edward Pinkney made a motion for a continuance in his re-trial for “voter fraud.” The first trial ended in a hung jury. These charges are an outcome of his leadership in the Benton Harbor, Michigan democracy struggle against the take over of the town by Whirlpool Corporation and the developers (for background information, see bhbanco.blogspot.com or listen to an interview with Rev. Pinkney). Rev. Pinkney’s motion was heard before Judge Alfred Butzbaugh, a known corrupt judge who fought to convict him.
The Court ordered the transcript of Rev. Pinkney’s first trial, but at the expense of Rev Pinkney who had to put up his home as collateral. It is unknown when the transcript will be available for his counsel, Hugo Davis, who moved for a continuance of the trial date of January 9,2007 to March 13,2007 because the court failed to produce the transcript in a timely matter. The motion was granted.
On December 12,2006, Rev. Pinkney’s attorney filed a motion for a Direct Verdict to Squash the Information and to dismiss counts three to five of his charges. These counts are in violation of Rev. Pinkneys constitutional rights/due process. The statute of being in possession of absentee ballots creates a felony offense, but there was no evidence presented at the preliminary examination that showed that Rev. Pinkney had any knowledge that it was illegal to possess and/or deliver absentee ballots.
Everyone’s support is needed at a very important hearing on several constitutional issues on January 25, 2007 at 9 am at the Berrien County Courthouse, 811 Port Street in St. Joseph, Michigan.
On November 9 2006, Rev Pinkney went to Lansing for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board of Trustees, a special meeting to challenge Whirlpool and their take over of Benton Harbor. Rev Pinkney spoke for the people in Benton Harbor — with its 70% unemployment, and where 90% of the people live below the poverty level. He asked what a city like Benton Harbor with so much poverty would want with a 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a boat launch, and about 30 homes that cost about one million dollars each, built on city property. As we go to print the City Council is voting on the golf course. This could be the last stand, but the battle will continue for the people of Benton Harbor to keep their city.
Anybody interested in being in a caravan from Grand Rapids can call 616-881-5263 to reserve a space.
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