Criminal Complaint Filed Against Sarah Loy in Marriage Amendment Protest
The trial date for Larry Cirignano, former Executive Director of Catholic Citizenship, was set for Monday, Oct. 15. At issue is whether he violated the civil rights of protester Sarah Loy who was against the Marriage Amendment.
Cirignano’s trial date has been moved to the following day, Tuesday, Oct. 16. But here’s a twist. On Sept. 24th, a criminal complaint was filed against Sarah Loy for “disturbing a lawful assembly”, a violation of Massachusetts law, by the main organizer of the Pro Marriage Amendment rally.
Read the details here: Criminal complaint filed by Shari Worthington against Sarah Loy for “disturbing a public assembly”.
And here are the details about the law Loy is accused of violating: Mass. Law Ch. 272, Sec. 40
A hearing has been set for Oct. 29, 2007, regarding the complaint against Loy. At that hearing, a magistrate will decide whether to press formal charges.
But this causes a big problem for Loy. If she testifies against Larry on Oct. 16, she risks incriminating herself in a trial against her!
So the Assistant District Attorney, Joseph Quinlan, came to Loy’s aid and filed a “motion to continue” – to move Larry’s trial until after her hearings and/or trial. And Quinlan filed an accompanying affidavit stating that in his opinion the criminal complaint against Loy “lacks any merit.” (Obviously, it’s clear he won’t be pursuing anything against Loy with any vigor — your tax dollars at work.)
However, Larry’s attorney, Michael Gilleran, filed a rebuttal to Quinlan’s motion and affidavit. Gilleran excellently outlines the facts of the case, the legal issues involved, and reasons why Larry’s trial should not be moved. This is worth reading.
Michael Gilleran’s opposition to motion to continue (definitely worth reading)
A hearing was held this past Tuesday on Assistant DA Quinlan’s motion to continue. Interestingly, the judge ruled against Quinlan, largely on the basis of Gilleran’s strong rebuttal. Thus, Larry’s trial will go on this Tuesday as scheduled.
I am not at all happy that the District Attorney and Worcester Police Department would be bringing these charges against Larry at all - instead of charging Loy and the homosexual activists who were disturbing the peaceful rally last December. But to postpone the trial for Loy’s convenience would have been even worse.
[...] The criminal complaint, filed by Shari Worthington of the Worcester Republican Blog, is for “disturbing a lawful assembly.” [...]
Pingback by Pie and Coffee » Scam complaint filed against woman “assaulted” in Cirignano trial — October 14, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
So you want Larry to get off by filing a bogus lawsuit to intimidate the victim? You must be a good Christian.
Comment by BostonBud — October 14, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Larry Cirignano should go to jail and rot. Shame on Shitty Worthington for trying to make the victim of Larry’s crime a perpetrator. Of course she’s not. I hope the judge finds Shitty in contmept of court for filing frivolous charges.
Larry, rot in hell.
Comment by ryan charisma — October 16, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
The lawsuit is not bogus, Bud. Try reading the actual law before you dismiss it. We had a constitutional right to assemble without disturbance. Ms Loy had every right to protest, but she did not have a right to do it in the middle of our legal and peaceful gathering.
Comment by sharilee — October 17, 2007 @ 8:03 pm
Cute comment, Ryan, but hardly persuasive.
Btw, were either of you at the event? You really ought to know your facts before commenting. I was there.
Comment by sharilee — October 17, 2007 @ 8:05 pm