[Antiracism] Thurs 7/24: Jason Vassell Pre-Trial Hearing -- SAVE THE DATE -- 2pm in Northampton

[Mishy Leiblum]

Dear Community Allies,


Some of you may be following the case of Jason Vassell, an African American student at UMass who was the victim of a hate crime on February 3rd, 2008 and is now being charged with a felony. See below for updates and background information, or visit www.justiceforjason.org



There has been an outpouring of support for Jason from the UMass community -- however, Jason's upcoming court date is on Thursday July 24th, and many student and faculty supporters are out of town for the summer!



Therefore we are hoping you can make a sincere effort to attend Jason's upcoming court date. Please contact justiceforjason at gmail.com to confirm if you can attend/help mobilize for this -- we also welcome invitations to present at any events etc between now and the 24th. 



Please forward this information widely. Thank you,

Mishy Leiblum, 413.695.4868

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: JusticeFor Jason <justiceforjason at gmail.com>






Save the date & ask for time off work...


Pre-Trail Hearing for Jason Vassell
Thurs. 7/24/08, 2pm 
Hampshire Superior Court (15 Gothic Street, Northampton MA)






For info about carpools from the Boston area, contact justiceforjason at gmail.com or check back at our website: www.justiceforjason.org  





This will be an important pre trial hearing for Jason Vassell, and it will provide an opportunity for opposing counsel to come up with a roadmap for how Jason's case will be tried.  Jason's lawyers will be asking the Commonwealth to provide certain evidence and will agree to turn over other evidence that may come into our possession. At the present time, it is unclear who will be prosecuting Jason's case as the Assistant District Attorney who was assigned to it has left or is about to leave the District Attorney's office.  The physical presence of friends, family members, and other supporters would be greatly appreciated!!






Background: On Sunday, February 3, 2008, two white men—not university students—appeared at the window of the dormitory room of Jason Vassell, a twenty-three year old African American student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The two men subjected Vassell to racial invective and threats of violence. They kicked in Vassell's window and later gained access to an outer vestibule of the dorm, where they attacked Vassell, breaking his nose and causing a serious concussion. The injured Vassell, defending himself with a small pocketknife, wounded his assailants.  






At present, caught up in a protracted and costly legal process, Jason Vassell—an otherwise decent, gentle, young black man and law-abiding citizen described by his professors as a serious, respectful, and diligent student—finds himself in a Kafk-esque nightmare. Removed from school he faces two charges that could, if the prosecution succeeds, subject him to 30 years in state prison.







If you haven't yet done so, please sign the petition calling for the charges again Jason to be reconsidered: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/justiceforjason/ .  






To contribute to Jason's defense, you may write a check to Esmie James, Mr. Vassell's mother.
Mail checks to "Justice for Jason," PO Box 197, Amherst MA 01004

 

www.justiceforjason.org

http://umass.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8053969667&ref=nf






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