Denver Police Chief Robert White and his officers will not face sanctions in federal court after a judge ruled Thursday they did not violate his orders allowing jury nullification demonstrations at the Lindsey-Flanagan courthouse.
Activists had sought a contempt of court ruling against police after a shade canopy, a table, chairs and banners on Aug. 25, just one day after U.S. District Court Judge William Martinez granted an injunction allowing the demonstrations.
However, Martinez determined that officers did not take jury nullification pamphlets or protest signs. The activists also did not present evidence to prove the police seized their property as a way to retaliate or intimidate them, he wrote Thursday.
The activists had sued Denver and White after two men were arrested this summer for handing out jury nullification pamphlets. They each were charged with seven counts of jury tampering, a felony.
But the judge ruled in his that the pamphlets were protected speech and a state court judge’s order barring public demonstrations went too far.
Since then, have increased and grown larger in number.
Jury nullification happens when a jury decides it will not convict a defendant because the panel believes a law is unjust or is being used to improperly punish someone.
Noelle Phillips: 303-954-1661, nphillips@denverpost.com or twitter.com/Noelle_Phillips
