Today, Monday, April 30, 2012

at the CeCe McDonald Trial…

• -The first day of CeCe McDonald’s trial had national support from Mara Keisling, founding executive director of the National Center of Transgender Equality, and Leslie Feinberg, renowned author of Stone Butch Blues, both of whom flew out to Minneapolis to attend today’s proceedings.

• -In court, the judge ruled on several remaining motions. The defense moved to exclude a photo of the t-shirt Dean Schmitz, the deceased, was wearing June 5th on the grounds that it could unfairly prejudice the jury. This motion was denied.

• - In the discussion of this motion, the prosecution stated no weapon had been recovered from the scene. They also acknowledged it remains unclear what the weapon which caused Schmitz’s wound was.

• -The defense continued with a motion to sequester, or isolate from the proceedings, three Hennepin County Witness Coordinators during the examination of the witnesses they had interviewed because they were also potential witnesses. This motion was granted.

• -The defense moved to allow other expert witness testimony on transgender issues. The judge will make a final decision about allowing expert witness testimony after further deliberation.

• -The defense moved to allow CeCe more than the one change of clothes generally permitted. This motion was granted. (Today she wore black skinny slacks with a magenta button-down, black and grey paisley sweater and absolutely superb grey pumps.)

• -We are not aware of a decision that has been made regarding whether Dean Schmitz’s swastika tattoo will be admitted as evidence during the trial.

• -Jury selection will begin Tuesday, May 1st.

(Picture is of Rai’vyn Cross, CeCe’s sister & Leslie Feinberg, some random activist that showed up the first day of court. ;P Thanks Leslie!)