17th Judicial District Attorney announces heâs dropping remaining charges against Aurora protest leaders
Charges stem from protest that happened outside Aurora police station on July 3, 2020
Denver7
and last updated 2021-05-06 18:54:51-04
BRIGHTON, Colo. â All remaining charges against five people who led protests in Aurora last summer outside the police departmentâs District 1 station calling for justice in the death of Elijah McClain have been dismissed by the 17
th Judicial District Attorney, his office announced Thursday.
Lillian House, Joel Northam, Whitney Lucero, Terrance Roberts, and Trey Quinn were facing several charges stemming from the events of July 3, 2020, including felony attempt to influence a public servant, inciting and engaging in a riot, as well as obstructing government operations. Those charges were filed by the previous 17
Mason, who took office in January, released the following statement on the decision.
“After a thorough review of these cases, I have decided to dismiss the charges against these five individuals. I have an ethical obligation to only proceed on charges my office can prove and to dismiss charges that we cannot prove. My job is to do the right thing. After considerable thought and reflection, I believe dismissing these charges is the right thing to do.
I believe in the First Amendment, the right to peaceably assemble and the right to peaceably protest. I also believe in the rule of law. These should not be in conflict with one another. Indeed, they should go hand in hand.”
Protesters in court for barricading police precinct in July
PATTY NIEBERG, Associated Press/Report for America
March 9, 2021
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1of3FILE - In this May 30, 2020 file photo, Denver police officers move during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd in Denver. Three protesters accused of barricading police officers inside a suburban Denver police station for several hours last summer during racial injustice demonstrations appeared in court on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.David Zalubowski/APShow MoreShow Less
2of3FILE - In this July 3, 2020, file photo, a demonstrator passes by a banner hanging from a fence outside the Aurora, Colo., Police Department District 1 Substation on 17th Place and Wheeling Street to protest the death of Elijah McClain in Aurora, Colo. Three protesters accused of barricading police officers inside a suburban Denver police station for several hours last summer during racial injustice demonstrations appea