Protesters convicted of trespassing

Activists say an appeal would give them more of a voice against torture

SMITHFIELD -- Anti-torture activists claimed victory in the trespassing convictions Thursday of three protesters arrested at Aero Contractors last month.

Francis Coyle of Orange County, Steve Woolford of Chatham County and Barbara Zelter of Raleigh were found guilty of misdemeanor trespassing for passing through a gate to the company's headquarters at the Johnston County Airport near Smithfield.

All three said they would appeal, which would allow a fuller airing of their complaint against Aero through a jury trial.

"It will give us an opportunity to shed some light on the crimes being perpetrated by our government," said Zelter, a senior employee with the N.C. Council of Churches.

The three were among eight members of N.C. Stop Torture Now arrested April 9 when they tried to serve a citizen's "arrest warrant" on the company for its involvement in extraordinary renditions, in which people suspected of terrorism are sent to countries where U.S. laws against torture do not apply.

Aero aircraft reportedly have been used in such renditions. German prosecutors have charged three Aero pilots with transporting a German citizen to Afghanistan in 2004, where they say he was tortured. The activists' "warrant" called on these pilots to surrender to authorities.

About 50 onlookers crowded into a Johnston County district courtroom as Judge O. Henry Willis pronounced the guilty verdicts. Charges against four others were dropped when a sheriff's deputy could not identify them. Charges had already been dropped against the eighth protester, a 16-year-old.

Trevor Paglen, co-author of a book on the renditions, testified at the brief trial about Aero's involvement in the renditions. He said the private company had done covert operations for the Central Intelligence Agency for decades, but found a new purpose ferrying suspects in the campaign against terrorism.

"The company exploded after 9/11," he said.

Zelter received a one-day suspended sentence; Coyle and Woolford drew 14-day suspended sentences and were fined $50. The judge ordered them not to go on Aero's property for 24 months.

Coyle, an 80-year-old veteran of World War II who has been arrested during other protests, said he never enjoys being convicted of a crime. He hopes, however, that his trial will help persuade local, state and national authorities to investigate Aero's activities.

"We want to put as much pressure as possible," Coyle said.

It is not clear, however, whether their appeal would be contested. The District Attorney's Office could decline to prosecute.