DENVER—At least 29 people arrested at demonstrations during the Democratic National Convention are fighting the charges against them.
Of 154 people arrested, 29 have pleaded not guilty and are demanding jury trials, said Brian Vicente of the People’s Law Project, which is lining up defense attorneys to represent those arrested. Vicente said he expects 30 others to demand jury trials when they go before a judge in October.
About 75 of those arrested have pleaded guilty, said Vince DiCroce, director of prosecutions for the city attorney’s office.
Among those fighting charges is Bryson Smith, who was arrested even though, he says, he was not protesting.
“I was on the street and I couldn’t leave the street and I was arrested,” said Smith, who lives downtown and delivers pizzas.
Smith said he was headed back to his car after spending time on the 16th Street Mall when he wandered into the same area where protesters were arrested Aug. 25, the first night of the DNC.
He said he spent about 23 hours in jail until he was bailed out by his father.
Court records show he faces charges of interference, obstructing passage and refusing an officer’s order.
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Information from: Rocky Mountain News,
