RNC8 protester court hearings start this week

Court dates arrive this week for the eight Republican National Convention protesters who were preemptively charged with terrorism felonies, according to the support group Defend the RNC8. The motion hearings — postponed due to a judge switch — find the RNC8 in a news context that recently became more favorable to their cause: most charges were dropped Friday against protesters rounded up on the convention’s final day, and a police informant’s testimony in other cases has been to some degree discredited. Hearings for four of the RNC8 begin tomorrow, with the other four set for next week; actual trials aren’t likely before September. Court schedule after the jump.

Here is the court schedule for the RNC8 hearings. All will take place at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul (courtroom assignments listed on screens in the lobby).

Max Specktor: Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m.
Monica Bicking: Feb. 24, 2:30 p.m.
Luce Guillen-Givens: Feb. 27, 9:30 a.m.
Eryn Trimmer: Feb. 10:30 a.m.
Erik Oseland: Monday, March 2, 9 a.m.
Rob Czernik: Tuesday, March 3, 9 a.m.
Nathanael Secor: Tuesday, March 3, 10 a.m.
Garrett Fitzgerald: Tuesday, March 3, 1:30 p.m.