April 29, 2003
Supporters Rally As Hawash Enters No Plea
Hawash's Attorney Speaks Outside Courthouse
On a morning of much better weather than the drizzle of the April 7 rally, supporters of Mike Hawash (one participant, an Intel employee, claimed that a good 50-75% of those present were from Intel) rallied outside the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse today. While somewhat fewer in number than on April 7, protesters will still a vocal and visible presence. Inside, Hawash was present for his first open court session since his detention began five weeks ago.
According to Hawash's former Intel surpervisor Steven McGeady, Hawash appeared in court today, clean-shaven and in suit and tie, looking extremely tired. McGeady said Hawash did, however, manage a "big smile" for his wife, Lisa.
Hawash waived his right to enter a plea at this time, opting instead to await the actions of the grand jury after it hears his case this coming Friday.
McGeady said that while the proceedings were open, and at this point seem likely to remain so (excepting, of course, those of the grand jury, which are always conducted in secret), he did notice today that Federal prosecutors had a large number of documents marked "confidential." McGeady expressed his hopes that the government does not intend to have the evidence in Hawash's case sealed.
When asked by another reporter about whether he considered the evidence against Hawash to be circumstantial, McGeady replied that while "circumstantial evidence" is a "term of art" in the legal profession, he did consider it to be so, and said further that "even the circumstantial evidence is weak." He added that it seemed to "consist entirely of a travel itinerary" and that the witnesses who allegedly identified other members of the so-called Portland Six in China never managed to actually identify Hawash as having been present.
Hawash's attorney (whose name, I regret to admit, I don't have) explained the process as it stands after today: Having entered no plea at this morning's hearing, the case now goes as scheduled to the grand jury on Friday, followed by a preliminary hearing early next week. A detention hearing is also scheduled for Thursday of next week. So far as anyone seemed to indicate today, all of these proceedings, excepting the grand jury, will continue to occur in open court.
He laid out the underlying premise of what their response to the prosecution will be: "Our intention is to shine the light of day on what has been a dark cloud of secrecy."