New evidence in legal briefs exposes U.S. government misconduct

9/1/2011 4:31:06 P.M. Central Daylight Time, info@freethefive.org

New evidence in legal briefs of Gerardo, Ramón and Antonio
exposes U.S. government misconduct

"Ramón and The Five should not have to defend
against accusations broadcast into the airwaves
and reproduced in the press by journalists who
pretend to be independent, but in fact are being
paid by the very Government that is prosecuting
the victims of their stories. The motion filed on
behalf of Ramón seeks an opportunity for redress
of the injuries suffered because the Government
did not disclose the fact that they were paying
supposedly independent journalists. Had this fact
been disclosed at the time, the lawyer for Ramón
would have sought to protect his client from the
influence of this tainted journalism."

William M. Norris, attorney for Ramón Labañino

"The government's conduct -- funding a propaganda
campaign in the venue of the trial -- constitutes
an unprecedented violation of a criminal
defendant's right to a fair trial, and calls out for a remedy."

--Reply of Gerardo Hernández to United States'
Response in Opposition to his Motion to Vacate,
Set Aside, or Correct Judgment and Sentence, Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255

"The government putting news reporters and TV
commentators on its payroll to generate
inflammatory and highly prejudicial news
permeating the Miami-Dade community, constituted
a deliberate and serious breach of its promise to
do justice. ... the government's conduct was so
outrageous and deceitful warranting the
imposition of the most severe sanction --
dismissal of the indictment in the underlying criminal case.

Memorandum for Ramón Labañino in Support of
Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Judgment
and Sentence Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255

From the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five:

Various legal briefs have been filed in
mid-August, by the attorneys for Gerardo
Hernández, Ramón Labañino and Antonio Guerrero,
for their Habeas Corpus appeals. A critical issue
has been raised in all three appeals: that of the
egregious U.S. government misconduct in paying
tens of thousands of dollars to purported
independent Miami journalists, while those
reporters filled the newspapers and airwaves with
unsubstantiated and highly prejudicial propaganda
against the Cuban Five, during their prosecution.

Lawyers for the Five have presented compelling
arguments for immediate relief, largely based on
the research conducted by the National Committee
to Free the Cuban Five, regarding the Miami
journalists. The National Committee and
supporters of the Five worldwide, continue to demand their immediate freedom.

Read an interview with one of the lawyers here,

the recently-filed legal documents for Gerardo,
Ramón and Antonio here.