z52\doc\web\2001\09\jaywalk.txt
From: MeiLing001@aol
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2001 9:50 PM
Subject: Chinatown jaywalk case dropped; officer questioned over halting group 




FYI. 
The news is in today's Times. 


Mei-Ling Hsu 
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> > Dear Community Members, 
> > 
> > We are pleased to advise that the Court dismissed the Jaywalking citation 
> > against Thao Le. There are articles in both Seattle Papers. 
> > 
> > I subpoenaed officer Pitts. Leo Hamaji and I interviewed Officer Pitts 
> > (who refused to speak with us until I said we would go to the Judge), and 
> > Sgt. Brotherton. The police asked for a City attorney to represent them 
in 
> > the interviews. Two City lawyers assisted them. After interviewing Sgt. 
> > Brotherton, I released him from the subpoena as a strategic decision. 
> > 
> > The room was packed with students and community supporters. Leo Hamaji 
> > skillfully cross examined Officer Pitts. In my opinion, Leo effectively 
> > peeled back and exposed a layer of Officer Pitts' true character. The 
> > judge allowed Leo, over Officer Pitts' objection, to explore racial 
> > attitudes, because such information was relevant to bias and motive. At 
> > the close of Pitts' testimony and with the consent of Thao, I argued for 
> > dismissal. Although winning at that point would mean the youth would not 
> > tell their story, Leo, Thao and I agreed that dismissal without putting 
up 
> > a single witness was worth it . The court granted our motion. 
> > 
> > Officer Pitts was upset, and went up to the judge and argued with him 
> > afterwards. He then jetted out of there. The police department had its 
> > lawyer there observing. Hopefully they saw what we saw. 
> > 
> > Many thanks to Leo Hamaji. Leo, you were extraordinary. And also thanks 
> > to Rod Kawakami, who is another volunteer attorney helping represent the 
> > youth through the internal investigations process. Unfortunately he could 
> > not attend yesterday's hearing. However, his assistance throughout this 
> > process helped arm us for the hearing. 
> > 
> > Yvonne Kinoshita Ward