1966-09-24-sr-p5-10-from-tolstoy-farm-deny-charges

September 24, 1966 Spokesman-Review Page 5:

10 From Peace Farm Deny Charges in Marijuana Case

DAVENPORT, Wash.—Ten more Tolstoy Farm defendants appearing Friday before Superior Court Judge Richard J. Ennis entered pleas of innocent to charges of possession and dispensing of narcotics.

Bond was reduced from $2,000 to $1,000 each.

Judge Ennis said he was reducing the bond for three reasons: Because those defendants already out on bond did not leave the area but went back to Tolstoy Farm, eight miles northeast of Davenport; because some had indicated they intended to stay in jail even though bond was available, indicating there was little risk of their not returning for trial, and because the prosecuting attorney made plain that the words “raising and dispensing of marijuana” referred only to activity on the farm and there were no accusations that the defendants had attempted to distribute marijuana off the farm.

Four of the defendants previously released on posting bond appeared in court Friday to enter innocent pleas.

Not rising as is custom when the judge enters the court, Huw Williams, 24, founder of the pacifist farm, read a statement concerning his conduct.

“It is against my code of con duct to treat people specially because of worldly power or wealth, I try to treat all people with equal love, respect and forgiveness, Therefore, I cannot treat you with special respect, such as saying your honor or rising when you come in or go out, unless I do it for everyone I hope you do not misconstrue my actions as contempt for you or your law since all they represent is respect for my interpretation of God's law which is the only law I serve,” read Williams.

Removed From Jail

Asking the judge to eliminate any bond for him, Williams said he did not believe in buying his freedom as it discriminates against the poor.

"There are those who would probably pay the ransom for me, but it would be an inconvenience for them and I fully intend to come to trial, any way," said Williams.

He said he would appreciate being released so he could store away food from his garden, finish the roof on his cabin and take care of his livestock.

Williams said he would not leave the jail until all other Tolstoy Farm residents had been released from custody.

However, Friday afternoon Williams and his wife, Sylvia, were literally evicted from the Lincoln County jail on the order of Judge Ennis.

Bond of $1,000 each was posted, Ennis declared, since $2,000 had been placed in the hands of the court clerk by Huw’s father, Herbert Williams, a Waukon farmer.

Mrs. Williams, 24, was carried out of the jail on the shoulder of Deputy Sheriff Russell Goodman and placed on the lawn of the Courthouse. Her husband walked out.

Among those entering pleas of innocent, were Richard Keigwin, Jose and Sandra Fuentes, counseled by attorney R. R. Wightman; Sean Flannery and Susan Long, advised by attorney Samuel Fancher; Thomas |él¢ Ordway, Andrea Carlson and Williams, clients of Thomas Lynch.

An automatic plea of innocent was entered for Sylvia Williams, 24, wife of Huw. She did not stand or speak and attorney Lynch said she has some reservations about cooperating in court.

Catherine Manfredi, 19, entered a plea of innocent without counsel. She later appeared with court-appointed counsel Riner Deglow and re-entered the same plea.

Stipulations Set

The innocent pleas were entered by all defendants with stipulations that they might later "challenge the insufficiency of the information" or charge brought against them.

Laura McGrath appeared in court Friday afternoon with her court-appointed counsel, Deglow, pleading innocent, She posted $1,000 bond and was released.

Of the original defendants, all but two have been arraigned and have entered innocent pleas.

Walter F. Engelbrecht, 43, Saratoga, Fla., is being treated at Lincoln Hospital for a mild illness. Jonathan B. Tourtello, 19, Stamford, Conn., counseled by Spokane attorney Arthur Ludin, was released last Monday on bail and is reported to be in Spokane.

Judge Ennis said trial of the cases may not occur for 60-90 jays. He said it would be a jury hearing unless the defendants waive that right.