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In this special bulletin, we are pleased to report that, after two years, charges have been dropped against the ND 88. Counsel for Notre Dame and for the ND88 announced today a settlement pursuant to which the criminal charges against the ND88 have been dismissed. Under the agreement, the ND88 agreed not to sue the University for damages and the University in return agreed to ask the prosecutor to dismiss the charges, which he has done.This is a notable victory for the defendants, who refused to take an easy way out, and a prudent backing off by the University....

... On Thursday, Michael Dvorak, St. Joseph County, Indiana prosecutor, dismissed the criminal trespass charges that he has pressed against almost all of the pro-life protesters, known as the “ND88.” The individuals were arrested for trespassing when they entered Notre Dame’s campus in peaceful and prayerful protest against the University’s bestowing honors on President Barack Obama at the 2009 Commencement. Dvorak dropped the charges as part of an agreement between the Thomas More Society and the University.

Charges Dropped Against Anti-Abortion Protesters at University’s Commencement with President ObamaMay 5, 2011 (Chicago)… Today, Michael Dvorak, St. Joseph County, Indiana prosecutor, dismissed the criminal trespass charges that he has pressed over the last two years against almost all of the pro-life protesters, known as the “ND88,” the individuals arrested for trespassing when they entered upon Notre Dame’s campus in peaceful and prayerful protest against the University’s bestowing honors on President Barack Obama at the 2009 Commencement. Dvorak dropped the charges as part of an agreement between the Thomas More Society and the University. “This is a big step forward...

Over the years governors have given Christmastime pardons to people who have been convicted of some of the most serious crimes on the books. In Wisconsin for example, within the past twenty years at least two murderers were pardoned by the State’s governors. Civil pardons for this kind of offenses happen every year. Acting in a strictly civil capacity, governors have shown the type of mercy and compassion to those who have committed these crimes and set them on their way back to their new life. While such mercy and compassion is also the professed position of the Catholic Church...

In April, 6' 8" football recuit Matt James fell off a 5th story balcony in Florida. He was scheduled to attend Notre Dame this fall. Later blood alcohol tests found him to have blood alcohol levels twice the legal limit. On October 26, 2010, student manager for the football team died when the tower he was on fell over. The conditions were unsafe for the student to be on the platform -- the platform was unsafe for winds over 25 mph. Winds were gusting to 50+ mph. This was the tragedy of Delcan Sullivan. It seems odd that there have...

An Academic “Ruling Class” Fr. Norman Weslin, O.S., at the complaint of Notre Dame, was arrested in May 2009 and charged as a criminal for peacefully entering the Notre Dame campus to offer his prayer of reparation for Notre Dame’s conferral of its highest honor on President Obama, the most relentlessly pro-abortion public official in the world. The university refuses to ask the St. Joseph County prosecutor to drop the charges against Fr. Weslin and the others arrested, still known as the ND 88 although one, Linda Schmidt, died of cancer this past March. Judge Michael P. Scopelitis, of St....

Thomas More Society Charges Forward in ND88 Case, Winning the Right to Take a Deposition of Former Notre Dame Official Posted by Thomas More Society (September 22, 2010 at 9:03 am) For Immediate Release South Bend, Ind.—Late Monday, a St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge ruled that attorneys from the Thomas More Society may depose a former official recently fired by the University of Notre Dame—a key ruling for the defense in the case of the “ND88,” the 88 pro-life demonstrators arrested at the University for protesting President Obama’s receiving honors at the commencement ceremonies in 2009. Chief Judge Michael...

Wednesday September 22, 2010 Former Notre Dame Official Will Now Testify in ND 88 Case By Peter J. SmithSOUTH BEND, Indiana, September 22, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Attorneys representing the 88 pro-life demonstrators arrested at the University of Notre Dame for protesting President Barack Obama at the 2009 commencement ceremonies, won the right Monday to require a former ND official to testify under oath about the treatment of the pro-life protestors.In St. Joseph County Circuit Court, Chief Judge Michael Scopelitis ruled that Thomas More Society's (TMS) special counsel, Tom Dixon, may depose William Kirk, former associate vice president for residential life...

Monday September 20, 2010 Notre Dame Protesters Win Right to Individual Jury Trials SOUTH BEND, Indiana, September 20, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The 88 pro-lifers (known as the ND88) who were arrested on the campus of the University of Notre Dame last year during President Obama’s controversial visit have won the right to have their own individual jury trials, thanks to the efforts of the Thomas More Society. The prosecution had sought instead to consolidate the cases, and thus expedite the legal process - a request that was denied by Chief Judge Michael Scopelitis.According to the TMS, the longer the trials...

By Kathleen Gilbert May 4, 2010LifeSiteNews.comSOUTH BEND, Indiana  - In what may be his first public statement on the situation of 88 pro-life protesters arrested on campus last May, University of Notre Dame President Fr. John Jenkins has suggested that the protesters deserve to continue facing up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine because they were unruly and led by individuals who "threatened peace and order."The protesters, known as the "Notre Dame 88" (ND88) were arrested for trespassing on Notre Dame's campus as they peacefully prayed or otherwise symbolized their disagreement with the university for honoring [Alleged] President...

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, March 29, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, the prestigious former president of the University of Notre Dame, may have helped swing a critical House Democrat vote to the "yes" column after House Speaker Pelosi asked for his help, reported the LA Times and the Associated Press last Tuesday.  The South Bend Tribune confirmed the report on Friday. Hesburgh was called in to persuade U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) to vote for the health care bill despite the vast expansion of abortion funding embedded in it. Donnelly had been a member of the group of Democrats led by...