• Font Size    

Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com

Pittsburgh Festivities Kickoff Holidays
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

G-20 Protestors Have Their Day In Court

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Sep 30, 2009 8:09 pm US/Eastern

G-20 Protestors Have Their Day In Court

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Many of the protestors that were arrested during the G-20 Summit last week had their day in court Wednesday.

In all, 190 people were arrested at the various demonstrations around the city and dozens had hearings Wednesday morning. Some of them said they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Luke Rudkowski and Lee Iovino pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after run-ins with police during the unrest in Oakland last week.

Both men say they were acting as journalists for the independent media.

"Sadly we have to pay this fine and plead guilty when we're innocent. I don't think this is justice at all," Rudkowski said.

Pitt student William Taylor got caught up in the melee that erupted near the university and was also charged.

"At the point I was arrested, they had not given an order to disperse. I was pulled backwards. They came out of their lines, they broke their lines to grab me and pull me through their line. At which point, about six of them jumped me and had the gall to charge me with resisting arrest," Taylor said.

Attorney Mike Healey represented several University of Pittsburgh students who were arrested. According to him, his clients have a few choices.

"Most of the options include coming back Oct. 21, when most of the Thursday and Friday night cases are scheduled. [Or] community service in exchange for dismissal or a plea to a reduced charge, a summary charge," Healey said.

Of those appearing in court regarding G-20 alleged violations, 48 of them had their cases continued. Three of them agreed to plea deals. One of them asked for a hearing.

David Japenga, a California transplant accused of smashing windows in Oakland, will stand trial.

His bond was set at $15,000 straight bail, but will likely remain at the Allegheny County Jail until his formal arraignment in December.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

KDKA College Corner

Top News Stories

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.