This story is taken almost word for word from articles from the on-line edition of the South Bend Tribune.
So I hope that nobody gets offended by our
plagarism or sarcasm.
EIGHT ARRESTED AFTER FIGHT
Eight people were arrested Saturday, including a top Klan official, when members of the KKK attacked innocent bystanders following their failed rally in downtown South Bend.
Four adult members of the Klan, including Grand Poobah Rick Loy - #2 in command locally - were arrested on disorderly conduct charges. Klansman John Cochran (no relation to the black lawyer Johnny, I'm sure) also faces a handful of charges for battery of a police officer.
A juvenile Klan member (would that be a Klanlet or a Kluxling?) was also being held at the Juvenile Justice Center on charges of disorderly conduct and battery of police officer.
The SBN police station was on heightend alert, and patrol officers were called into the station at about 8pm after the father of the boy threatened to (get this) storm the Sample Street Police station!!! The child (who isn't even being held at the Sample Street station) won't be released until he appears before a judge on Monday.
Two of the bystanders were also arrested on disorderly conduct charges and later released on bond. At least three police officers received minor injuries when the Klansmen, using wooden sticks, wooden shields, and their fists clashed with the groups of bystanders and police.
"The problem was when the Klan members could not remember where they parked and we had to stop," said SBN police Capt. Darryl Boykins, in reference to the instant when things got ugly.
Several groups of protesters and on-lookers had gathered along the "parade" route both before and after the rally. Apparently, though, on the way back, the Klan decided they'd had enough and when they had to stop to figure out why they'd lost their own cars, several of the frustrated Klan members broke into violence.
The more than 200 anti-klan demonstrators assembled at Lafayette and Washington streets and succeeded in drowning out the PA system of the estimated 20 Klan members. Close to 1000 people took part in one or more of the day's celebratory and anti-hate events.
May 7th.
In news today, the charges against the minor protester that was arrested Saturday were dropped, and she was allowed to return home. The Washington HS freshman said that she was in contact with the juvenile Klan member at some point during the weekend, and that he apologized to her.
May 8th.
St. Joe County prosecutor Chris Toth said today that after reviewing the cases against the 6 adults (4 klan and 2 bystanders) arrested Saturday, he has decided to go ahead with charges against the Klan members.
Sherry Simmons (bystander) was released on bond Saturday, and today chrages were dropped. Charges had been dropped against her daughter yesterday in juvenile court. Also in juvenile court Monday was the parents of the 17-year-old as yet un-named Kluxing. After testing positive for marijuana and being charged with felony battery of a police officer the Kluxing was remanded to the custody of the juvenile center to await a hearing.
Charges against the full-grown Klansters include disorderly conduct, battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.
Included in those being charged are John D. Cochran of Elkhart with a felony, and Richie Loy, Grand Dragqueen of the National Knights of Indiana.
May 9
John Cochran, 29, Elkhart, IN. Charged with 2 felony counts of resisting law enforcement and three misdmeanors - battery, disorderly conduct, and resisting law enforcement.
Rick Loy, 32, South Bend, IN. disorderly conduct.
Amy Hoffer, 24, Mishawaka, IN. disorderly conduct.
If convicted of the felonies, Cochran cold face up to 3 years in prison for each felony and fines of up to $10,000. The misdemeanor charge of resisting law enforcement carries a max sentence of a year in jail and a fine of $5,000. The disorderly conduct charges all carry a maximum sentence of 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
May 24
Rick Loy and co. recieved their trial dates today, and he will be representing himself in court on July 17. Reminds me of an old saying that "a man who defends himself in court has a fool for a client." Amy Hoffer will be in court 2 days later on July 19. John Cochran is supposedly in the process of hiring a private attorney and will be back in court on June 29.
The 17-year-old Klanlet wis facing a Class D felony battery charge for striking a police officer with a flagstick. His trial is scheduled for this Tuesday.
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