Posted by shark-92107 on August 16, 2002 at 17:42:25:
In Reply to: What happened to the other pochers ? posted by Muffdiver on August 16, 2002 at 14:57:45:
Jon Michael Hand was represented by an attorney at his arraignment on August 8. He did not appear himself. Apparently, the attorney hadn't even seen the case until that morning. A pre-trial hearing is set for September 23. There will probably be settlement discussions shortly before or at that hearing. If the case doesn't settle, trial will probably take place in November.
Thanks to those who sent letters. Enough of them had been received at the court that the clerk and bailiff commented on it. For those of you concerned about 'innocent until proven guilty,' you should know that the judge would not read the letters prior until after there had been a determination of guilt. The fact that many letters are being received, however, does not go unnoticed and prevents a case from falling through the cracks. If you haven't written to the DA's office yet, go ahead and do so.
Some good news. The judge ordered that Hand do no fishing of any kind until the case is resolved, which means that Hand at least will miss the first lobster opener in many years.