From: mirele@xmission.com (Mirele)
Subject: Note to the California Attorney General's office
Date: 15 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT
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To whom it may concern:

I am writing regarding the matter of the trial of Howard Keith Henson, 
which is scheduled to begin next Monday in Hemet, Riverside County, CA.  
Mr. Henson is charged with making terroristic threats under the meaning of  
California Code Section 422, as well as a couple other related 
misdemeanors, including a "hate crime."

This case arose out of a citizens' arrest brought on Mr. Henson in July 
2000 by representatives of the Church of Scientology.  At the time Mr. 
Henson was arrested, he was taken to Riverside from Hemet and then let go 
after the Scientologists declined to press charges. However, there was an 
investigation, and Deputy Tony Greer of the Riverside County Sheriff's 
Office said in a report to the District Attorney: 
 "In reviewing all of the Internet postings I did not see any direct threat 
of violence towards the church or any personnel of the church."

However, the deputy district attorney did not agree and filed the 
aforementioned charges. 

I have picketed Scientology on several occasions with Mr. Henson, and he is 
non-violent and does not hate Scientologists. Having read the charges, and 
the alleged supporting material, I find it patently ludicrous that this 
would have gotten as far as it has.  I would also ask if it is appropriate 
for the district attorney's office to have counsel for the Church of 
Scientology sitting at his table in hearings, because it looks apparent to 
just about anyone there that the deputy district attorney is prosecuting 
this case as a proxy for the Church of Scientology.

It is my understanding that under California law, the Attorney General may 
step in if the district attorney has committed an abuse of discretion.  I 
would strongly urge that someone in the AG's office step in and review this 
matter and determine if it is worthy of a prosecution, or (in my belief) a 
vendetta promoted and supported by the Church of Scientology against one of 
its most effective critics and picketers.

Deana M. Holmes
mirele@xmission.com
Salt Lake City, UT