Three NATO summit protesters have pleaded not guilty to charges that accuse them of plotting to attack President Barack Obama's campaign headquarters in Chicago with Molotov cocktails.
Brian Church of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jared Chase of Keene, N.H., and Brent Vincent Betterly of Oakland, Fla., appeared at their arraignment in a Cook County courtroom Monday in jail jumpsuits with their legs shackled.
Their lawyers told Judge Thaddeus Wilson that the men were pleading not guilty to all 11 counts, including four filed under Illinois' never-before-used anti-terrorism statutes. The other counts include several arson charges.
Prosecutors said evidence against three NATO summit protesters includes secretly recorded conversations.
They revealed the existence of the recordings at an arraignment Monday but offered no details. Recordings are generally believed to make for a stronger case at trial.
Prosecutors also turned over 372 documents regarding evidence to the defense. But defense lawyers told reporters later that the material didn't appear to include any recordings or transcripts.
But Judge Wilson isn't happy with activists who raised their clenched fists and cheered in support of three jailed NATO summit protesters inside the courtroom.
Around 20 people on spectator benches made the gestures Monday as the suspects entered and left a hearing.
A deputy detained 45-year-old activist Tom Rainey, who also held up a placard supporting the defendants and brought him before presiding Judge Wilson.
The visibly agitated judge told the Chicagoan he was stopping short of jailing him for contempt. But Wilson scolded Rainey and warned him never to show up again with a sign.
Defendant Brent Betterly turned to smile at the supporters and nodded in approval as they raised their clenched fists. An attorney for the men says she still hopes to get the men out on bond. And Sarah Gelsomino also says she's trying to get more information about the undercover officers who infiltrated the Occupy Chicago movement.
Protestors also demonstrated outside the offices of State's attorney Anita Alvarez Monday night.
The judge set a tentative trial date of July 22, 2013, but said that date could be moved up.
The protesters have been jailed since May after being arrested days before the NATO summit began in Chicago. If convicted, each could spend decades in prison.
