A new chapter in the long chronicle of legal consequences for resistance at Project ELF in Wisconsin was opened on April 12, when the federal court in Madison sentenced three people for trespass on the site last October. John Heid, Don Timmerman and Roberta Thurston were convicted January 29, and appeared before Magistrate Stephen Crocker for sentencing.

Timmerman and Thurston received a sentence of 50 hours community service plus a $100 fine, due in monthly increments of $10. Heid again made clear to the court that he will not pay a fine nor be compelled to perform community service, yet he was fined $500 and given 120 days to pay. A hearing was set for mid-August to deal with his refusal formally.

Six more people facing federal prosecution for crossing the line at the extremely low frequency (ELF) nuclear submarine communication antenna last January all pled not guilty at their March 7 arraignment in Magistrate Crocker's courtroom. Appearing by telephone, defendants Carol and Charles Spring (Palo Alto, California) were ordered to return for trial in Madison on September 10, while Genie and Bill Durland (Cokedale, Colorado), and Sis and Jerry Levin (Birmingham, Alabama) will go on trial on May 22.

SILENCE TRIDENT UPDATE

Bonnie Urfer will complete her prison sentence on May 31. She is serving five more months (after a six-month term last year) for refusal to pay the Navy restitution after her conviction for the "Silence Trident" direct disarmament action - cutting down three wooden poles supporting the long antenna cable. A recent letter from Bonnie reported she was asked to help train assistance dogs as part of a new program at the prison, so her time is spent teaching "incredibly smart beside being adorable" Labrador puppies. "Silence Trident" co-defendant Mike Sprong made one small initial restitution payment, but has refused to pay more.

For more information, contact Nukewatch, POB 649, Luck, WI 54853, (715)472-4185, nukewatch@lakeland.ws web: www.nukewatch.com.

Letters of support should be sent to Bonnie Urfer #04970-045, F.P.C. Greenville, POB 5000, Greenville, IL 62246. (out 5/31/02)