Police arrested 52 protesters Nov. 16-18, 2000, during the TransAtlantic Business Dialogue conference in Cincinnati. Thirty-five suspects pled no contest and were found guilty. Two suspects entered a diversion program that could lead to dismissal of charges against them. One suspect, Brian Matuszewski, 29, of Toledo, was scheduled for a jury trial Feb. 21 but did not appear; a capias has been issued for his arrest. In all, 15 protesters asked for trials; 14 cases have been disposed. All 14 cases have gone in the protesters' favor:
Acquitted
Jacob Blickenov, 20, Cincinnati: Acquitted by a jury of disorderly conduct
Brian Cairns, 23, Fort Collins. Colo.: Acquitted, in a bench trial, of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct
Collin Cairns, 22, Portland, Ore.: Acquitted, in a bench trial, of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct
Ethan "Zeke" Spier, 20, Philadelphia. Acquitted, in a bench trial, of disorderly conduct
Jim Tackett, 23, Murphys, Tenn.: Acquitted, in a bench trial, of disorderly conduct
Charges Dismissed
Clifford "Caleb" Bennett, 24, Cincinnati: Charge of assaulting a police horse dismissed
Jon Blinkenstaff, 49, Cincinnati: Charge of disorderly conduct dismissed
Jeffery Goddin, 26, Columbus: Charge of disorderly conduct dismissed
Sean McDonald, 39, Covington: Charge of jaywalking dismissed
Laticia Melo, 16, Mason: Charge of disorderly conduct dismissed
Blake Pendergrass, 21, Oxford: Charge of disorderly conduct dismissed
Steve Rutherford, 21, Willoughby, Ohio: Charge of disorderly conduct dismissed
John Sherman, 40, Dayton, Ohio: Charge of failure to disperse dismissed
Steve Steel, 38, Toledo: Charge of disorderly conduct dismissed
