Trial For D.C. Activists Postponed

The trial for a group of eight D.C. voting rights activists arrested outside the U.S. Capitol has been postponed after a judge faulted the government for not turning over evidence to the defense.

Paul Strauss, who serves as one of D.C.’s shadow senators and represents some of the activists on trial says the defense requested the evidence in discovery -- in this case videos and photographs from the April protests -- but it wasn’t turned over until today. Strauss says the judge criticized the government – and in particular the Capitol police – and moved the trial to November 15.

A total of 41 people, including the mayor and other lawmakers, were arrested during the April 11 demonstration -- three others were arrested at a similar protest a few days later. Most people ended up paying a fine to avoid going to trial.

The eight activists fighting the charges could face additional fines and jail time if convicted. In the District Im Patrick Madden.