Wake DA drops charges against hundreds of legislative protesters

[littlemissmartypants]

Source: WRAL.com

By Matthew Burns

RALEIGH, N.C. — Trespassing charges were dropped Friday against hundreds people arrested last year during protests at the Legislative Building.

Interim Wake County District Attorney Ned Mangum's decision to dismiss the cases follows rulings in recent weeks by two District Court and one Superior Court judge to throw out cases against about a dozen protesters.

The judges all cited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that invalidated a buffer zone Massachusetts had set up around an abortion clinic to keep anti-abortion protesters at bay. The court said in that case that a state must determine who is "actually disrupting or obstructing legitimate governmental interests" and not infringe on the free speech rights of others.


Read more at http://www.wral.com/wake-da-drops-charges-against-hundreds-of-legislative-protesters/13996960/#RHydpgkRv6wFtALy.99

Read more: Link to source http://www.wral.com/wake-da-drops-charges-against-hundreds-of-legislative-protesters/13996960/

[starroute]

1. So something good has come of that horrible abortion clinic ruling

It reminds me of Scalia's dissent being used as to strike down same-sex marriage bans. There's a certain logic that plays out where the law is concerned and it isn't always easy to tell where it might lead.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. Isn't it lovely how this worked out? nt

[Plucketeer]

3. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. NT