from Edwin Johnston:
 

I have been involved in KPFT/Pacifica since 1981 when I worked on the KPFT Program Guide.  The Pacifica executive director at the time, Sharon Maeda, came to Houston and got rid of Ray Hill as manager of the station and kicked out Studio X, my group, who were publishing the program guide, allegedly because they didn't have "editorial control" over us.  The relationship between KPFT management and Houstonians like myself has steadily deteriorated over the past two decades.

I was falsely arrested on March 23, 2001 after being assaulted by KPFT station manager Garland Ganter who gave a false report to police, claiming I had assaulted him.

I have created a webpage to help inform the public about this case:

http://www.hal-pc.org/~edi/kpft.html

I am an indy media innovator, in print, radio, video and internet.  Much of the inspirtation for my media activity has come from my relationships with people concerned about the principles of Pacifica.

I am also a graphic artist and a veteran political activist.  I fought a seven year long civil rights lawsuit in federal court against the city of Houston and its police department, which ultimately concluded in my favor.

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April 14, 2001, update on my case:

New charge, new attorney.

Last Tuesday I found out that there was a sheriff's warrant out for my arrest based on a new charge of assault by Molly O'Brien from the same incident, actually the same exact allegation that I am already charged with in municipal court. This seems to represent "double jeopardy".  This new charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail. I had to pay a bail bond company $250 to meet the new $1000 bond and turn myself in to county jail to be booked, fingerprinted and photographed.  Due to the escalation of KPFT' Pacifica's attacks on me and the much larger costs associated with a county court trial, I have changed lawyers this week.  The law firm that is handling this is DeGuerin and Dickson, a very high powered firm.  Dick DeGuerin, the senior partner, had represented David Koresh in the Waco incident.  Mr. DeGuerin actually went into the Waco compound which was under siege at the time to interview his wounded client, Koresh.

I will see my new attorney, Robert Luke, for the second time on Monday.  He will represent me in county court for arraignment on Tuesday and in municipal court for arraignment on Wednesday.  After then I should know much more about the case.
 

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