Judge clears courtroom in Black Liberation Army case

The Oakland Tribune ^ | : 02/14/2007 | By William Brand, Staff Writer

[old school]

The arraignment of four men charged with conspiracy and murder 35 years ago in a Black Liberation Army assault on San Francisco police brought a large crowd, of chanting, cheering, gray-haired supporters to a San Francisco courtroom Wednesday morning. Superior Court Judge Donna Alyson Little ordered the supporters - including some in wheelchairs and many using canes - to leave the courtroom. Defense attorney James Bustamante said he got permission from the judge to quiet the crowd.

[old school]

As a child I delighted in going to San Francisco. Back then, it was a relatively clean, normal place. Although, it always retained its "Barbary Coast" reputation. Today it is irredeemably filthy. It truly is a Sodom & Gomorrah. I can envision no compelling reason for anyone, ever, visiting that place! It's evocative of the bar-scene from the original "Star Wars" movie!

[knarf]

Defense attorney James Bustamante ... the ex Gubernatorial candidate?

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Really that bad?

I was there in the early 70's ..it was just like heaven, baeutiful, easy going..just wonderful.

[gcruse]

I was there from 87-97 and loved SF... but it was beginning to show signs of the vagrants' inhabitation.

[Mr. Jeeves]

I can envision no compelling reason for anyone, ever, visiting that place! It's evocative of the bar-scene from the original "Star Wars" movie!

I go to work in San Francisco every day. It is not significantly different from Manhattan, just about a twentieth of the size. Violent crime downtown and in the tourist areas in minimal. People can come to the city on vacation and have a fantastic time if they are reasonably familiar with the routine street smarts required of visitors to every major American city. You'll see bums - just like you'll see in every other major city. No point in lamenting the passing of the Fifties - that era has passed all over the couintry.

The gay parade characters are not routine sights - they only come out for special occasions like parades and protests.

[Alia]

You are thinking of Cruz Bustamante. Here's a pic of James Bustamante:

Lawyer James Bustamante (second from right) confers with Richard O'Neal, charged with conspiracy to kill police. Three others in court Monday, including Ray Boudreaux (second from left), are charged with a police sergeant's murder. Chronicle photo by Lea Suzuki

[Alia]

From article:

"My client has been steadily employed by the city of San Francisco for over 20 years; he has tremendous support from the community. He is well respected and has been in no trouble since age 22,'' Bustamante said.

He said the case happened long ago, and there are possibly seven or eight of the charges involve individual defendants who have gone to trial and been convicted and have done time. **** end snips

Well, if these criminals had raped women or children, there'd be no such nice "forgiveness" note for them. But execution-style murder a SF Cop?

Liberal Response: "*THAT'S* different.

[johnmark7]

Yeah, isn't that sumpin'. Kills a SF policemen and his punishment? Employment with said city.

I guess they would have given Dan White job of Parks Commissioner if he hadn't offed himself. Make a place for him at city hall.