by Shani K. Collins, Your Black World
The trial for Kevin Harpham who planted a bomb at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade in Spokane, WA will not take place on August 22 as originally planned. The bomb was found before it could explode. Harpham, who has ties to white supremacist groups, has pleaded not-guilty to attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, committing a hate crime and other charges.
Not wanting the jury to be swayed by the August 28 MLK Memorial unveiling in Washington, D.C., federal judge Justin Quackenbush pushed the trial’s date back to September 12. Quackenbush stated: “Justice isn’t something that we just give lip service to, it is, in fact, fairness.” The judge expressed concern with the MLK memorial activities which will be held up to one week before the event.
Thousands are expected to attend the memorial unveiling and dedication where President Obama will speak. If convicted, Harpham could face life in prison.
