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State prison plans: mental therapy or torture?
"Green Scare" case near resolution: defendants won’t finger others
Somerville Five
Ten Lessons from the Criminalization of Dissent
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Two years probation in Somerville 5 case
Thursday, June 29— Calvin Belfon, Jr and Isaiah Anderson, whose trial earlier this month ended in a mixed verdict, today each received a sentence of two years probation and fifty hours of community service.
The nature of the probation and community service will be determined in a conference with the court’s probation department.
Justice Janet L. Sanders rejected the D.A.’s call for three years of probation for Belfon and three years in the House of Correction for Anderson.
There was an audible groan from supporters when jail time was mentioned by prosecuting attorney John Venner.
Justice Sanders had already denied motions to vacate by defense attorneys Willie Davis and Mark Shea.
The defense had argued that the jury decisions were self-contradictory and not justified by the facts presented. They asked how their clients could have been resisting arrest, when evidence did not indicate any arrest being made before any alleged acts of resistance took place.
Before pronouncing sentence, Justice Sanders acknowledged that the defendants had clearly not come to Medford with any intent to commit a crime. After rehearsing the case's narrative briefly, she said that the initial confrontation had quickly become “something of a melée," and that "all the blame could not be pinned onto the defense.”
The judge said she took note of Belfon and Anderson’s exemplary school records and prospects. “They clearly have the support of family and friends in the community,” she added, smiling at the crowded benches.
Indeed there were new faces in the audience today, in addition to many of the family members and friends who attended the eight-day trial.
Members of the Chinese Progressive Association came to support the Somerville 5, whose banner was visible at Quincy District Court a few days earlier, where it was raised in solidarity with four young Chinese-Americans attacked by the Quincy police two months ago.
And over the past two weeks, Boston City Councilor Turner's staff circulated a letter of support, which councilors Arroyo, Yancy and Yoon signed onto and which their staffs mobilized to support.
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After the sentencing, people gathered in groups in the lobby and talked about the trial and struggles to come. Although obviously relieved that sentences did not involve jail time, many were indignant that the police could attack innocent youth with impunity.
"In a democratic society," someone said, "cops would be treated like anyone else. It wouldn't be a crime to defend yourself and your friends from being attacked, whatever the your skin color or the uniform you wear."
Defense attorneys Davis and Shea have appealed the sentences. The verdicts have already been appealed.
Friends of the Somerville Five are preparing to defend the remaining three defendants, scheduled to be tried as juveniles in September.