Bothered But Not Disturbed

Another District Court judge in Wake County, Anne Salisbury, has dismissed trespassing charges against another five Moral Monday protesters who were part of the massive wave of arrests at the General Assembly last summer. Judge Joyce Hamilton had similarly dismissed charges against a different five last week, citing the recent Supreme Court ruling about protesters at a Massachusetts abortion clinic.

"These folks had every right to do exactly what they did, and the way in which they were ordered to leave was unconstitutional," defense attorney Scott Holmes told Judge Salisbury yesterday. The judge agreed.

"The evidence is that the General Assembly was able to do business without interruption. So it clearly didn't disturb them," Judge Salisbury said in dismissing the charges against the protesters.

Hattip: WRAL.