Dear Stickergate Supporters,

As our multiple cases are heating up, the time has come to send you all an overdue update. First, in helpful and encouraging news, a Federal Judge recently slapped down the City of Moscow's attempt to get a summary judgment against the psalm-sing arrest lawsuits. The Judge ruled, as the law of the case, that the City was in the wrong in those arrests. That same Judge is now presiding over a settlement conference. This is helpful, because those (now officially acknowledged as illegal) arrests were what my sons were protesting with their stickers.

There are two main branches to our update right now. First, almost a year ago, Rory was convicted (in a jury trial) of one count of placing advertising material on a pole without permission. We have been using a great appellate lawyer based out of Boise ever since, and the appeal has just moved through oral arguments. There are numerous (very strong) grounds for this appeal, and we are praying for a clear and thorough vindication. Many people assume that an appeal is some form of retrial. It is not. An appeal like this one is actually more like a trial of all the judge's actions and decisions throughout the criminal proceeding. In Rory's case, among other things, Judge Marshall's rulings prevented our lawyers from presenting Rory's defense in her courtroom, thereby corralling the jury into a guilty verdict. Those decisions (a functional thumb on the scale) are what are now on appeal.

Parallel to the criminal appeal, the three of us filed lawsuits. While we would have preferred to wait until Rory's appeal was complete (it could still bleed on for a long time), a statute of limitations was breathing down our necks. The first lawyers we approached to handle this were unwilling to work on the case due to fear of political consequences. Others were simply too busy for the time this fight would require, and others were willing but inexperienced. As a result, as the statute of limitations approached, we still did not have a legal team in place. I was forced to file our lawsuits per se (representing ourselves). I barely got all the necessary forms filled out in time and boogied up US 95 to the nearest Federal Courthouse a couple hours away. I was the last person to enter the building and got our lawsuits filed in time (barely). Then I turned my focus on getting the best possible legal team to take over and represent us. (I have no delusions about my future as a lawyer.)

God answered our prayers, and we are incredibly grateful that Robert Muise of the American Freedom Law Center stepped in and took command in our brawl. We could not be happier. The AFLC got right to work and replaced my filing with an Amended Complaint. The City of Moscow has since filed to have all our lawsuits tossed out, our teams have exchanged fire, and we are waiting for the next round in the struggle.

Please keep us in your prayers on both the criminal and civil fronts, specifically that we would have the endurance and ability to finish the fight well. Pray for vindication and that this fight would be fruitful in the broader cultural struggle that rages all around us. We are extremely grateful for all of you, both for your prayers and for your financial support. There is no way we could have lasted this long without help. God has provided that help in a variety of ways throughout all of this, and you all have been part of that provision.

Gratefully,

Nate (Rory and SJW)

This campaign is unpublished.

GiveSendGo