Court Examines Rendell's Role In 1998 Protester Beatings

Philadelphia - A special three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals convened Wednesday to hear arguments on whether a Federal Civil Rights suit may proceed against Gov. Ed Rendell and overturn a 2003 lower court ruling that there was insufficient evidence. Rendell is charged with conspiring to suppress the First Amendment rights of protesters by having Teamsters Local 115 beat them while they demonstrated outside Philadelphia's City Hall during a Democratic fundraiser featuring President Bill Clinton.

Rendell, who was mayor of Philadelphia at the time, admitted in a deposition following the Oct. 2, 1998 beatings to personally inviting Teamsters Local 115 Secretary-Treasurer John Morris and instructing the union to "drown-out" the Clinton protesters.

"I specifically said I didn't want any interaction with the demonstrators. I wanted this to be extremely peaceful and extremely positive," Rendell also claimed in the deposition, which was taken two years after the fact.

Morris was caught on video by local media placing a fedora over protester Don Adams' head, signaling the Teamsters to knock him to the ground and assault him. Adams was treated at a nearby hospital for a concussion, lacerations and multiple bruises. His sister, Teri, sustained minor injuries.

Testimony from Morris' chief of staff revealed that, after the beatings, Rendell called Morris about the Teamsters who participated in the attack and said, "nothing is going to happen to these guys," and "I know how these things go." He then suggested that Morris and the Teamsters file a criminal complaint against Adams, which they did two days later on Oct. 4, 1998, alleging that he struck a woman in their group.

Even though there was no police reports supporting the Teamster's claim, the incident was caught on video, and the District Attorney's Office pursued trial against Adams, who filed suit against the Teamsters and Rendell several months later.

At one point, the Teamsters offered to drop their charges against him if he dropped his case. During that time, they launched a media campaign and accused Adams of being a woman-beater. Adams rejected the deal and was found not guilty on July 8, 1999. Five teamsters then pled guilty to various charges of assault and were granted probation, and Morris died in 2001.

Arguments surrounding Rendell's involvement center not on how convincing the evidence is, but whether his interaction with Morris after the fact - consoling the Teamsters and advising them to sue Adams - can be used as evidence to support the charge of conspiracy.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in United States vs. Smith in 2002 that concerted actions to conceal unlawful behavior are relevant to a finding of conspiracy. The Supreme Court reached a similar conclusion in United States vs. Brodie last year.

However, Philadelphia Law Department attorney Jane Lovitch Istvan, who represents Rendell, argued in brief, "The alleged conversation in this case ... contained no evidence of attempted concealment, nor is there a pattern of other alleged attempts to conceal."

"I think he might have a case," Circuit Judge Restani said during oral arguments surrounding Adams' claim.

The three circuit judges were appointed to hear the case from outside the Third Circuit Court's jurisdiction after a motion asking the entire Circuit to recuse itself was granted. This recusal was issued due to the fact that Rendell's wife, Judge Marjorie Rendell, sits on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

>...Morris died in 2001.
"That's nearly the only positive thing to come out of this story, so far. We're at least assured that ol' Morris is gettin' his due."

Getting his due down *there* maybe, yea.

OTOH what do you want to bet Rendell's entire defense will be based upon the fact Morris is *dead*?
The defense will plead since Morris cannot give testimony the case *must* be thrown out & the reason given for the dismissal by the court will be as bizarre as this entire incident taking so long to be adjudicated.

I can envision a court ruling along the lines of, "Since Morris is [now] dead, he is incapable of defending himself."
I kid-you-not.
Just watch the bought & paid for Liberal-Socialist judicial worms pull a stunt like [that].

If a video tape of the assault didn't make this whole thing a 100% slam-dunk in the Adams' favor, at least against the Teamsters?
Then of what gravity will sworn statements incriminating the slimy suckers have?
This is what's on my mind.

"Burn in Hell, ya worthless bastard!"

Aye.

...I'll drink to that. ;^)

"Don and I were discussing the bulletin article just minutes ago and I am so glad to see it's posted."

I agree, it is good to see *something* reported on this matter as opposed to nothing; which, is precisely what most of us who've been following this c/would've anticipated and/or expected.
So unusual is this it almost makes me a tad *suspicious*.

"We made the same point you did about the Teamsters offer to drop charges against Don, if Don dropped charges against the Teamsters."

Sure and Don & you didn't take the bait, and in hindsight it's a good thing you didn't accept because you'd have tied your own hands as they proceeded to slime you in *their* media.
Neat, huh.
Same "old" union thuggery -- & *adopted* by the Liberal-Socialist Democrats, no less -- modus operandi.

"Don went to the US Justice Department shortly after it happened, which angered Lynn Abraham, who publicly claimed Don had filed a civil suit at that time for "monies" even though no such suit was filed by Don."

Ahhhhh yes, and then there's our *honey* Lynn Abraham & her shenanigans engineered to impede this matter any & every way she possibly could.
She did so from her publicly elected office, too.
We mustn't forget that because she's in for her comeuppance, shall we say a *piece* of whatever shit sandwich comes of this for her role? :o)
Abraham's hands aren't just *dirty*, they're filthy.

So what's the "Twisted Sister of Law" been doing these days, Ter?
Surely she's still not acting as a (Ass't?) DA for Philly, is she?

"After learning much more in the discovery, we asked Judicial Watch to go to the US Justice Department, and we asked them to claim RICO from day one among other things."

Of course the answer was negatory, & we would've expected no less from a Clintigula JD.
But that's changed, the sands of political time have shifted so perhaps that tack's worthy of reconsideration, again?
Timing's *everything* they say?
Just a thought. ;^)

"Yes, we concur that ALL the things you underlined, are good evidence of conspiracy on the part of Mayor Rendell, Teamster Union Boss John Morris and DA Lynn Abraham, along with the fact that Don who took the brunt of it (and I) were physically assaulted for protesting and then removed from the scene eliminating our ability to demonstrate further."

Yup, rarely have I witnessed so much incriminating evidence which doesn't merely *speak* corruption, it shouts it.
When your & Don's time comes, this stuff is a virtual legal MOAB & has the potential of blowing *all* the suspects (named above) to itsy-bitsy *atoms*.

"You make such very valid points, most of which we have have discussed at lengths ourselves. We believe we were of the wrong political party, and the wrong ideology."

Yes, and so much more.

"Also, after the Teamsters filed a private criminal complaint against Don we filed one against John Morris which was never approved, even though he can be seen on the video ramming a fedora on Don so low, it covered his eyes, in that apparent signal to attack."

Not only as a signal to commence an attack, dear Lady.
Almost as important the act was meant to insure Don (& you) could not ID any attacker(s), also.
This Morris, such a slick thug was he.
In my MP days we would've called this worm a, "Latrine House Lawyer".
He thought he knew "law" but in reality knew just enough to screw himself up. ;^)

Also I *should've* pinged you -- of all people -- to #76.
Sorry, Ter.

...my-bad. ;^)

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