Kurt Isobe, one the last protestors still in Orange

County jail after being arrested by Garden Grove

police at last Wednesday's demonstration against

Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist, was arraigned today

in Department W15 at the West Justice Center in

Westminister. His case was heard by Orange County

Court Commissioner Richard E. Pacheco

The District Attorney's office is charging Isobe with

committing one felony and three misdemeanors: PC

245(c), assault with a deadly weapon other than a

firearm to produce great bodily injury on a peace

officer; PC 148(a)(1), resisting or obstructing a

peace officer in the performance of his duties; PC

600(a), throwing or hurling objects at a horse being

used by a peace officer in the performance of his

duties; and PC 185, wearing a mask in the commission

of a public offense.

David Haas, an Orange County civil rights attorney,

entered a plea of "not guilty" on Isobe's behalf. Haas

also asked Commissioner Pacheco to drop the $50,000

bail that had been set and allow him to be released on

his own recognisance. The Commissioner refused to

release Isobe on those grounds, but said he was

willing to consider reducing the bail.

Andrea Burke, the Deputy District Attorney assigned

the task of handling the arraignment, strenously

argued against reducing bail for Isobe, claiming he

was a potential flight risk. She also argued that

Isobe posed a threat to public safety, stating that

Garden Grove police allegedly saw him throwing two

cans full of marbles at their officers standing on the

street and on horseback.

Haas responded to Burke's statements by telling the

Commissioner that Isobe is an 18 year old student who

lives at home with his parents and has no prior

criminal record. He emphasized that Isobe is not a

flight risk and pointed out the fact that close to 40

of his friends, concerned citizens, and family members

-- including both his parents -- had attended today's

arraignment in support of him.

Upon hearing all the arguments, Commissioner Pacheco

finally agreed to reduce bail to $25,000 but attached

the condition that Isobe not be involved in organizing

or participating in any "protests, picketing, or any

conduct like what happened in this last demonstration"

-- a blatantly unconstitutional requirement -- but one

that was reluctantly agreed too.

Isobe's family will be meeting with a bailbondsman

later tonight to post $25,000 bail. It's expected that

he'll be released from the custody of the Orange

County jail sometime early Saturday morning.

Statements, videotape, and other evidence are in the

process of being collected and analyzed. If anyone has

information they believe will be useful to Isobe's

defense, they can email this author at the following

email address: duaneroberts92804@yahoo.com.

In the meanwhile, Isobe's next court appearance has

been scheduled for Wednesday, June 15th, 2005 at 8:30

am in Department W15 at the West Justice Center,

Orange County Superior Court, 8131 13th Street,

Westminster, CA.