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From: sacprisonersupport@riseup.net<br>
Date: Sat, May 10, 2008 8:32 pm<br>
To: undisclosed-recipients:;<br>
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<br>
Dear friends,<br><br>
Yesterday was a difficult day. We all knew what Eric was facing,
and we<br>
understood the vehemence with which the government was pursuing this
case.<br>
But nothing could ever fully prepare us for the kind of heinous
sentence<br>
that Eric received. It is clear from the reports in the media and
the<br>
statements made by the US Attorneys that Eric was entrapped and used as
an<br>
example to anyone who dares to dream of how things could be different
in<br>
this world.<br><br>
After passing through the metal detectors downstairs, everyone
attending<br>
Eric's sentencing was required, by order of Judge England, to pass
through<br>
a line of Marshall's outside the courtroom and undergo the metal
detector<br>
wand, as well as a complete search of any bags. This ridiculous
spectacle<br>
was clearly an attempt to harass Eric's friends and loved ones who came
to<br>
show their support.<br><br>
The courtroom was nearly full of Eric's family and friends. There
were<br>
not enough seats behind the defense table to accommodate everyone,
forcing<br>
others to spill over into the prosecutor's side of the court.
Thanks to<br>
everyone who came out yesterday.<br><br>
It was clear from the first few sentences spoken by the judge that
his<br>
mind was already made up. The same lies that were used at trial
to<br>
convict Eric were repeated over and over again throughout the
sentencing<br>
hearing. The government even had the audacity to claim that Eric
had<br>
never had a re-ocurrance of pericarditis - despite the fact that his<br>
lawyer filed a memo with the court in November detailing Eric's
worsening<br>
condition. Despite the fact that the jail received so many phone
calls<br>
from Eric's supporters during that time that they posted a note on
their<br>
website specifically asking people to stop calling. They had the
audacity<br>
to claim that Eric was at no risk of harsh treatment in prison -
despite<br>
the fact that he has ALREADY undergone 2 1/2 years of isolation at
the<br>
Sacramento County Main Jail.<br><br>
Despite the fact that probation recommended a sentence of 156 months
(13<br>
years), Judge England deferred (as usual) to the government's<br>
recommendation of 235 months (19 years and 7 months). The length
of<br>
Eric's sentence was due largely to the application of the Terrorism<br>
Enhancement. The government has argued quite vociferously all along
for<br>
this enhancement. The basis of their argument is that Eric's
targets<br>
included government facilities (such as the IFG) - a point which was
never<br>
proven during trial, and was, in fact, denied by the government's
own<br>
witnesses. But the judge applied the enhancement anyway. The
judge<br>
ordered 3 years of supervised release after Eric's sentenced is
served,<br>
the collection of a DNA sample and registration as an "arson
offender".<br><br>
Now is the time to be outraged and make noise. The government
just<br>
sentenced Eric to 20 years for a crime that was never committed.
This is<br>
the longest sentence we have heard of in an American environmental
case.<br>
Eric's case and sentence have illustrates the lengths the government
goes<br>
to , and how much they can get away with, in their pursuit of those
who<br>
voice their dissent - who maintain their integrity and stay true to
their<br>
principles and all that makes them human. Please help spread the
word<br>
about Eric, his case, and it's implications for everyone who cares
about<br>
effecting real change.<br><br>
Eric says he can feel all the love being sent his way. Please keep
it up.<br>
Take a moment to send Eric a note of support during this difficult
time.<br>
His address is:<br><br>
McDavid, Eric x-2972521 7E128<br>
Sacramento County Main Jail<br>
651 "I" Street<br>
Sacramento, CA 95814<br><br>
Eric could be moved any time in the next month or two to a federal<br>
facility, but please don't let that deter you from writing! We will
let<br>
everyone know as soon as we get word that he is being moved. Until
then,<br>
keep the letters coming.<br><br>
Eric will now be appealing his conviction. Unfortunately, this can
be a<br>
very long process. Please don't forget about Eric during this
time. He<br>
will continue needing your support throughout his time in prison. When
he<br>
reaches a federal facility we will send out a statement about his
support<br>
needs at that time.<br><br>
Thanks again to all of you. The amount of love and support you have
given<br>
has been truly amazing. We are so thankful to have all of you
helping us<br>
through these difficult times.<br><br>
Yours,<br>
SPS<br><br>
<br>
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