Charges dropped for W.Va. woman arrested at Cheney event
Monday, October 25, 2004

By Jennifer Bundy, The Associated Press


CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charges were dropped today against a woman arrested last week after she entered a restaurant where Vice President Dick Cheney was appearing at a private campaign event.

Charlotte Wilkerson, 45, of Charleston was charged a week ago with disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and carrying a concealed weapon.

She entered through a back-door entrance that the public is allowed to use; her attorney, Jason Huber, said there was no security or signs to stop her from going in. She had a box cutter in her purse that she uses at her job at a discount store, Huber said.

The restaurant was closed for the event because of space considerations, Mary Diamond, a Bush-Cheney spokeswoman in West Virginia, has said.

Prosecutor Deloris Martin declined Monday to discuss why the charges were dismissed and referred questions to Police Chief Jerry Pauley, who was not immediately available for comment.

When asked why the charges were dismissed, Mayor Danny Jones said, "I'll pass. Thanks for the call," and hung up.

Huber said his client "is obviously pleased with the reasonable position the city attorney has taken." But he declined to give details of the case, including whether Wilkerson knew the restaurant was closed, because the charges could be refiled.

Last July, a couple were arrested when they wore anti-Bush T-shirts to Bush's rally at the West Virginia state Capitol Complex. Those charges also were dismissed, because a city ordinance did not cover trespassing on state grounds. The City Council later publicly apologized.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04299/401499.stm

stuff like this is just gonna keep happening until the election is over...