What Happened to the First Amendment

The Daily Dispatch

TUCSON - Two priests who wanted to put alleged torture training at Fort Huachuca on trial have been blocked from that defense strategy by a Tucson-based federal magistrate.On Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Héctor Estrada told the Rev. Stephen Kelly and the Rev. Louis Vitale that he was granting the government's motion not to allow the defendants to use what they contend is torture training on the Southern Arizona Army post.He also denied the priests' request for a jury trial.But the judge also denied the government's attempt to have Vitale's prior arrests and convictions as prima facie evidence of trespass.Both priests have been charged with trespassing on Fort Huachuca on Nov. 19, as well as failure to comply with a Sierra Vista police officer.Defense attorney William Quigley said his clients believe that by putting torture on trial they will be able to prove they were acting on a higher moral ground to stop the practice and they were denied some of their First Amendment rights, primarily the right to assemble, petition the government and practice free speech.Army Capt. Evan Seamone, who is prosecuting the case as a special assistant U.S. attorney, argued the issue is simply one of trespass and refusing to obey a civilian law officer.On Aug. 13, both attorneys presented their points to Estrada at the federal courthouse in Tucson.In granting the government's motion to exclude certain evidence, supporters of the priests said the two men and their attorney have had a gag order put on them.

This is one time I wish my legs worked better. I would like to join them physically. But I am with them in Spirit.

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It would be easy to react with the idea of "How can this be" and dismiss the millions who believe RAM made this a holy place. Each of us comes to God in their own way.