IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

JUNE 1ST 2010: PRE-TRIAL HEARING!

SUMMARY OF EVENTS:

On Tuesday June 1st, 2010 Jason appeared in court along with a packed house of supporters filling the inside of the courtroom and the attached lobby despite downpours in the Northampton area. The hearing was the first since a "Joint Motion to Continue Status Conference" was submitted by the DA and Jason’s defense on March 25th, 2010. The motions explains that, "the defendant…is exploring resolution of the case with the Commonwealth." Moreover, the motion explains that, "the Assistant District Attorney has been difficult to reach due to her involvement in another pressing matter and due to family medical issues."

Thus, it was clear today in court that discussions are ongoing between the two parties chiefly because the ADA has continued to be difficult to reach. We’ve learned and its known that the ADA Elizabeth Dunphy Harris has been trying an intensive murder case in Greenfield, and as the Joint Motion describes has been dealing with family medical issues. Nonetheless, Jason continues to be in limbo for 29 months and counting. The waiting and ongoing injustice against Jason is of great concern to the committee.

In court, the ADA asked for a disposition hearing on FRIDAY June 4th, 2010. Judge Carhart and the Defense agreed to a disposition hearing Friday June 4th, 2010 at 10 AM at the Northampton District Courthouse. While it is unclear what exactly the disposition is about (a disposition is "the courts final determination of a lawsuit or criminal charge) we expect that decisions made on Friday could possibly end this saga for Jason in a resolution OR could signal that the case will continue and begin movement without further stalling.

PLEASE SEE THE FRONT PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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This is the first hearing since news broke that the defense and the prosecution had entered into negotiations about a possible resolution to this case. Significant legal developments are possible at this hearing and the Committee will keep our community informed if any additional information is available. As usual, the courtroom will be packed and supporters will be marching on the sidewalks.

We want this to be the biggest turn-out in a year. Help us make that happen by pledging to turn out 2, 5, 10, 15 friends, family, etc…

Take some time to contact your networks and spread the news and if you would like to help the committee with phone-banking or flyering please contact us at justiceforjason@gmail.com
 

Can you make a pledge to turn out people?

E-mail us (justiceforjason@gmail.com) about how many folks you are going to bring out.
 

Thank you,
The Committee for Justice for Jason

When:

JUNE 1ST 2010 @ 2:00 PM

What:

PRE-TRIAL STATUS HEARING FOR JASON VASSELL

Where:

Northampton District Court

15 Gothic Street, Northampton, MA, 01060