DON ADAMS UPDATE: Teamster Beating Victims Appeal Judge's Order To Pay Union $15 Grand

Committee for Constitutional Justice | 10/10/2007 | Don Adams

[Physicist]

COMMITTEE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL JUSTICE
P.O. Box 306, Cheltenham, PA 19012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2007
Contact: Don Adams, ###.###.####

Teamster Beating Victims Appeal Judge’s Order To Pay Union $15 Grand

Philadelphia – Two Clinton protesters, viciously beaten up by a group of pro-Clinton teamsters outside Philadelphia’s City Hall during a presidential visit nine years ago, last week appealed a federal judge’s order to pay two teamster unions $15,000.00 in legal costs stemming from an October, 2000 Federal Civil Rights suit.

Five members of Teamsters Local 115 eventually pled guilty to criminal assault, conspiracy, and various other charges in the attack.

Last month, Judge William Yohn ordered the beating victims, Don Adams and his sister Teri Adams, to pay the unions $15,000.00 in costs—but dismissed the unions’ demand for a couple hundred thousand dollars in attorneys fees, stating in his decision that the suit was “not frivolous.”

The Adamses’ attorney, Trey Mayfield, believes the Adamses have strong grounds for an appeal. “This case was clearly ‘not frivolous’—it was, and is, an egregious violation of the law. The teamsters should be compensating the Adamses, not the other way around.”

Beating victim Teri Adams added, “I think it’s outrageous for the Teamsters to expect us to pay them—especially since numerous members, led by local union boss John Morris, were not only responsible for beating us up in an attempt to squelch our freedom of speech, but also for the malicious prosecution and defamation of my brother, Don.”

A few weeks after the October 2, 1998 assault, Mr. Morris, then head of Teamsters Local 115 and a Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, spoke on camera to Bill Baldini of Channel 10 News—accusing Mr. Adams of hitting two female teamsters and of being a member of the mafia.

Mr. Adams eventually stood trial in 1999 on trumped up charges brought by Teamster Heather Diocson and was found “not guilty.”

Several years ago, Judge Yohn dismissed the Adamses’ Federal Civil Rights claim and remanded the remainder of the civil suit, Adams, et al. v. Teamsters Local 115, et al., back to Pennsylvania State Court. A trial has been scheduled for April, 2008 in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.

Attorney Trey Mayfield will represent the Adamses before the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. He can be reached at ###.###.####.

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

 

DON ADAMS, ET AL.,      PLAINTIFFS      v. TEAMSTERS LOCAL 115, ET AL.,      DEFENDANTS

CIVIL ACTION NO. 99-CV-4910 NOTICE OF APPEAL

 

Notice is hereby given that Don Adams and Theresa Adams, Plaintiffs in the above-named case, hereby appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit from, (a) the September 4, 2007 Order which entered judgment in favor of Defendant Teamsters Local 115 and against plaintiffs Don Adams and Theresa Adams in the amount of $450.10; and, (b) the September 4, 2007 Order which entered judgment in favor of defendant International Brotherhood of Teamsters and against plaintiffs Don Adams and Theresa Adams in the amount of $14,625.94.

		Joseph M. Adams, Esquire Attorney for Plaintiffs Don and Theresa Adams
Dated: October 2, 2007

[longtermmemmory]

This case sreams for an abuse of discression ruling.

The fact there was a criminal CONVICTION shuts down the thugs and should of been used as presumptive proof.

[SW6906]

Been following this from the day it happened. Thanks for staying with it and reporting to us. Glad they are still fighting on!

[redgirlinabluestate]

Your faith and fortitude is inspiring, TA.

[restornu]

...and your point is?

[TAdams8591]

resty,

My father who was almost exactly the same age as the actor who shared his name, (and had the name FIRST) was always teased about it, and saw the humor as he loved the character Don Adams portrayed. I'm sure were Dad alive, he would have a good laugh. So in his honor, we'll laugh too! : )

[TAdams8591]

Thanks for the kind words, RG. : )

[lonevoice]

Sending up prayers for your continued resolve, and that you will find the justice for which you have been fighting for so long.

[M Kehoe]

Thank you for the FReep mail. Now I remember either you or Don explaining the change of venue issue before. Many years ago. I'm sorry I forgot.

You have many people who support you here. Best of luck to you both.

5.56mm

[SW6906]

BTTT. Lots of oldtimers on this thread - lots of names I haven’t seen for a while.........must be doing more lurking than posting these days...... ;o)

[TAdams8591]

Thank you, lonevoice. Your prayers are much appreciated! : )

[TAdams8591]

It is good to see everyone! : )

[TAdams8591]

Ping!

[redgirlinabluestate]

We are all pulling for you (and your brother).

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

bump

[Tribune7]

PIng list is on my other computer which should be set up tomorrow and you are not the first to give me a nudge :-)

Fingers crossed for you and Don.

[Saundra Duffy]

Bump this!!!

[anymouse]

Thanks for keeping us informed on the progress of Don and Teri’s case. Hopefully they will eventually get the justice they deserve.

[Physicist]

Morning bump!

[TAdams8591]

Thank you, T7! Most appreciated. : )