Citizen's Defense News SUN 18 AUG 96 1700 HRS "...Your Honor, the Government has always promoted open and public proceedings..." (U.S. Assistant Attorney Sharon Ratley; Federal Court House - Macon, GA - Aug 15,1996) (CDN) MACON- Both the Prosecution and the Defense were "jockeying for position" Thursday and Friday at the Federal Court house in Macon, GA. The defendants, Robert Starr III, William "Jimmie" McCranie, and Troy Spain were all present in suits but had to be "protected" by at least 20 U.S. Marshalls. The spouses of the accused were also "protected" by Marshalls. Over 50 different motions has by filed by both the prosecution and the defense. The first two days of motions hearing covered the subjects of the defenses' motions to suppress certain evidence and to severe (have separate) trials. One motion that was heard was a "motion to dismiss" by Starr's Attorney Nancy Lord based on her claims of an illegal wire tap on her telephones. But according to Judge Duross Fitzpatrick, who is presiding over the case, the defense failed to show enough evidence of such charges. As the government continues to release more "discovery evidence", the defense holds it's ground. Most of the audience consisted of Marshalls, lawyers, family members, and the media. An interesting moment during the proceedings occurred when laughter broke out in the courtroom when Sharon Ratley bellowed, "...They're accusing the government of wrong doing !..." During the hearings, one U.S. Marshall from Columbus, Ga, who has over 40 years on the job asked this reporter, "Is the defense being paid by the Militia Defense Fund ?" He then stated that he didn't care as long as they weren't being paid by tax dollars, as he sat rocking in a chair wasting valuable oxygen (and tax dollars) guarding a public stairway from the public, and impatiently waiting for 5:00 pm. These hearings are expected to continue into next week. However, motions continue to be delivered by both sides. One motion in particular, filed by the government (Sharon Ratley) was a Motion in Limine, which was filed one day after Starr's attorney Nancy Lord motion requesting information concerning the Centennial Park bombing at the Atlanta Olympics (see attached file: c:\defense.txt). The motion, which has been filed at the Clerk of Courts office in the Macon Federal Building at 10:19 am EST, one day after Ratley made the opening statement of this article is as follows: IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORIGA MACON DIVISION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : CRIMINAL NO. 5:96-CR-21-DF : : vs. : : ROBERT STARR, III, : WILLIAM JAMES McCRANIE, JR., : and TROY ALLEN KYSER a/k/a/ : "TROY SPAIN" : ________________________________: GOVERNMENT'S MOTION IN LIMINE COMES NOW the United States of America, by and through its attorney, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, and request the court order that the Defendants and their counsel refrain from mentioning or making any reference to the Centennial Park bombing. This subsequent action by an unknown individual or individuals has no relevance to the guilt or innocence of the Defendants charged in this case. As can be seen from Exhibit "A" which is attached [see attached file c:\exhibita.txt] Defendant Starr's defense team is making broad accusation against witnesses which are certainly not proper now under the court's gag order of June 26, 1996, nor under the Rules of Evidence as to impeachment. Therefore, the government request that the Court order the Defendants and their counsel not to mention the Centennial Park bombing in the presence of the jury. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, this 14th day of August, 1996. H. RANDOLPH ADERHOLD UNITED STATES ATTORNEY BY: SHARON T. RATLEY (with signature) ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY Georgia State Bar No. (deleted by reporter) =========================================================== If anyone has current news releases in which ANY government agency says it's investigating a central Georgia Militia group, please forward to . =========================================================== Update to an earlier report: Tuesday, 13 Aug 96 1130 hrs ET A Georgia Miltiaman was approached at his workplace by two men claiming they were ATF agents. This Militiaman was shown (in his words) a "doctored" photograph of himself and the wife of one of the 3 accused in the Starr/McCranie/Spain case in compromising positions. He was then told that he had to testify against all three or they would "see to it" that the accused would be shown the photograph. These alleged agents (they did not show badges or give ID), also waved a video tape in a tape case and told this militiaman that they had video surveilence of this militiaman visiting the accused wife several times (i.e. vehicle in front of her house). The Miltiaman in question wants to keep his identity private at this time. However the attorneys, and others working on this case have been notified, and will bring this issue to the Federal Court this a.m. (15 Aug 96) at 1000 hrs ET. UPDATE: Constitutional investigators believe they have identified one of the ATF agents involved. This and other hearings next week. Stay tuned... Attachment Converted: E:\INET\CS\MIL\GA\DEFENSE.TXT Attachment Converted: E:\INET\CS\MIL\GA\EXHIBITA.TXT