Round Valley Lawsuit Update
...by attorney Dennis Cunningham
The news in the civil rights suit for the friends and relations of Bear Lincoln, who were harassed and intimidated by the Sheriff's Department et al. in the days right after the shootings in April 1995 is that we're waiting, again, for action by the Court. Judge Smith put out an Order in June saying she thought our case was no good, because the cops were just doing their job; but she didn't throw it out. I (Dennis Cunningham) then put in a paper saying why the Order was wrong, but Judge Smith didn't act on it. She left town for a job in Washington, DC, and left it for the new judge, Judge Alsup, to decide what to do. He may dismiss all or part of the case, or go ahead with all or part. If he dismisses it, we have to appeal; and on it goes. Justice delayed is justice denied, as they say.
In the meantime, a small group including Bonnie Blackberry and myself met with Sheriff Tony Craver to discuss ways that communications and relations between the Department and people in the valley - and service by deputies to valley residents - could be improved. We are hoping that a promise of better relations can form a basis for settling the general part of the case. We need further discussions with ourselves and with the Sheriff, with more people involved, and we will pursue both.
The part of the case about what happened to the Lincoln family when they were stopped on the hill just after the shootings won't be settled, in any case. Both sides mean to fight it out to a decision. The beat goes on. . .
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