ROCK CREEK, W.Va.–A Raleigh County Sheriff arrested tree sitter Laura Steepleton at her home today on failure to appear charges. According to friends of Steepleton’s, she has been calling Raleigh County all this past week asking if she had a court date and was never told of one.
According to the Raleigh County Magistrate’s office, they have no record for Steepleton and that it’s likely a Circuit Court case, which means no news will come till open of business in the morning.
Steepleton’s arrest happened the same day that Mike Roselle and Tom Smyth, the last remaining jailed Marfork Office arrestees, were released on bail.
UPDATE:
Heard from Laura and spoke with the Kanawha Co. Magistrate’s office. The latter said she was taken in on a capias warrant for violating the bond agreement from the DEP action. The criminal case from her charges in that action have been completely resolved. The magistrate’s office said that Mag. Yeager will arraign Steepleton when he receives paperwork from Raleigh County, who arrested and hold her in the Southern Regional Jail.
Laura is a wonderful human being, and I’m very saddened by this news. Please keep us informed of all avenues to support her and Climate Ground Zero at this time. Much love to Laura and all of her friends and family. Together we will overcome this injustice.
geez, who is running our law enforcement system…Nazis?
eM: In response to your comment above, I wish I knew. Looks more like the Mafia to me, but maybe that’s because of who I dealing with. I think our court system is corrupt. When I say that a lot of people say, “Well, Duh!” News to me, but I don’t keep up. In my case (family law–child custody matters) they clearly didn’t apply the law. At first I thought they were busy and not paying good attention, but after several years of injustice I feel certain they must know they aren’t applying the law.
Just wanted to say thank you to Laura and all the others who are out there on the front lines working for the mountains. I truly appreciate everything that you all are doing! Stay Strong!!
Why would Climate Ground Zero need support? We all know they (CGZ) claim they have no connections to these protesters.
AMEN Watcher!
I agree, quit wasting time on the treesitters, and free up law enforcement so they can target drugs, and dead beats. Don’t be offended. It’s just how I feel.
I support the actions of these true American girls, I will send money for there defence, this BS of destroying the history people and the enviroment has to stop now.
Thank goodness for the likes of CGZ, OHVEC, CRMW, etc!
These organizations and the great people involved are basically the only “voice” for the Southern Appalachians.