PRESS RELEASE

Of interest to editors and journalists covering: 
Ohio Political and Legal News, Homeless, General Editorial 
 

Homeless Victim Of Public Square Attack Granted His Day In Court On
December 22, 2003

CLEVELAND, OHIO - Dec. 18, 2003 /Send2Press Newswire/ -- James "Ziggy"
Muro, a victim of the August 9, 2003 attack on the homeless at Public
Square in Cleveland, Ohio has been granted his day in court on December
22, 2003 at 1:30 P.M. Mr. Muro petitioned the court on December 3,2003
requesting the special appearance. His Petition was granted by Judge
C.Ellen Connally when it was learned that Mr. Muro was not in the
courtroom at the time of the sentencing of one of the original
defendants charged in the attack. Mr. Muro did not therefore have the
opportunity to voice his opinion,as an assault victim, at the time of
the original sentencing.

The Petition notes that Article 1 Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution
provides a general guideline of victims rights. This section, in part,
provides: 
 
     Victims of criminal offenses shall be  
     accorded fairness, dignity,and respect 
     in the criminal justice process,and, as  
     the General Assembly shall define and  
     provide by law,shall be accorded rights 
     to reasonable and appropriate notice, 
     information,access,and protection and to  
     a meaningful role in the criminal justice 
     process. 
 
The Petition further noted that his status as "homeless" is not
synonymous with "unavailable," "faceless" or "disinterested."

It is expected that other streetwise friends and supporters of the
homeless community in Cleveland, Ohio will ask the court for permission
to speak about the incident and other specific issues facing the
homeless.

Judge C.Ellen Connally is located in room 15-C of the Justice Center.


 
		MEDIA CONTACT:
			David B. Malik
			+1-440-729-8260
			dbm50@earthlink.net
			
 
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[ source of news = David B. Malik ]
ref: http://www.send2press.com/2archive/2003/pr_03_1218-malik-R.txt 
	 
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