Tompkins County Against War & Occupation

Kuhl called to court as witness
Congressman subpoened to testify at war protestors’ hearing.

By Larry Wilson
lwilson@stargazette.com
Star-Gazette Corning Office

U.S. Rep. John R. Kuhl Jr. has been subpoenaed to appear as a witness at the trial of five anti-war activists in Bath Village Court today.

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The subpoena was issued by the court at the request of the defendants, who are acting as their own lawyers.

The defendants, from the Ithaca and Trumansburg areas, face criminal trespass charges.

They are accused of failing to leave Kuhl’s Bath office at the close of business Aug. 6.

If convicted, they face up to three months in jail.

Selection of a six-member jury to hear the case is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. today.

Bob Van Wicklin, Kuhl’s chief of staff, said Thursday that the congressman’s office had received no subpoena.

Meghan Tisinger, Kuhl’s communications director, said any subpoena would be referred to the general counsel of Congress, who would advise Kuhl on how to respond to it.

She said Kuhl is scheduled to be on the House floor for votes on legislation today.

Kuhl was not in his Bath office when a sit-in occurred there Aug. 6 by 11 members of Finger Lakes for Peace.

Police removed the five defendants at the end of the day when they refused to leave, according to charges filed against them.

Those scheduled to go on trial in Bath are Chris Tate, 46, and Mark Scibilia-Carver, 54, both of Trumansburg; and Ellen Grady, 44, Daniel Burns, 47, and Richard T. Saddler, 42, all of Ithaca.

Burns served time in federal prison following an incident in which he and three others entered a military recruiting station in Ithaca on March 17, 2003, and spread their blood on the walls, posters, windows and a U.S. flag.

He was convicted of misdemeanor charges of damage to government property and entering a military station for an unlawful purpose.

Copyright © 2007 Star-Gazette.