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Lawyer for Cuban Five details case to Howard law students

UNITED STATES, September 13, 2007.- Nine years after the sentencing of the "Cuban Five," students at Howard University's Law School are calling it "unfinished business."

The five men are in U.S. prison, serving four life sentences and 75 years collectively, after being convicted in U.S. federal court in Miami, on June 8, 2001, of conspiring to spy on the United States. They were also convicted for not having proper legal documents to allow them to work for another embassy in the United States. In their defense, they said, they were only monitoring the actions of Miami-based terrorist groups. Their lawyers charge that the five were illegally held in solitary confinement for 17 months in Miami's federal detention center, unable to properly prepare a defense.

The men are Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez.

Last night, the criminal defense lawyer for The Cuban Five, Lenard Weinglass, explained to the Howard law students why this case needed special attention. Dagoberto Rodrigez, chief of the Cuban interest section for the U.S. also attended the event.

Weinglass said the case has been submitted to a three judge panel in Atlanta for an appeal and should get a response by early next year. Weinglass is able to see the Five about every two months because they are each located in different jails around the country, including Wisconsin, California, Colorado, Texas and Florida.

They were specifically separated by the federal court and put in different jails so they would not be able to create any collective plans.

Two of the five, Weinglass explained, have not been visited by their families in nine years. Their family members still reside in Cuba and the State Department continues to deny them a visa.

While on trial, Rene Gonzalez, who is being held in a federal correction facility in Marianna, Fla., said, "Our trial was converted into a propaganda campaign by the prosecutors, stirring up prejudices against Cuba among the jurors to achieve a conviction."

Weinglass agreed, saying, "This case is a direct form of prejudice."

The most common question among law students after the speech was, "How can I help with the case?"

Weinglass suggested each student join one of the many Free the Five campaigns located around the country. The biggest support group, he said, is based in Miami. By Whitney Boyd .

(Cubaminrex- SICW- Palm Beach Post )

 

 

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