In April 2000, Judge Don Wisser ordered alleged rapist APD cop Samuel Ramirez's trial postponed until his court moves into its new building this fall, on the grounds that the new courtroom will be on the eighth floor and that the rooms will be soundproofed. Wisser and Ramirez's attorneys blamed noise from anti-rape protesters outside the building for the delay. But advocates for police accountability and the District Attorney's office pointed out that protesters had protected first amendment rights to voice their opinions, and that there had been no attempts to physically disrupt any proceedings or to be disrespectful in the courtroom.

Judge Wisser's decision marks another unnecessary delay in this absurd case. Already it's been a year since the original indictment, and the court has yet to even hold pre-trial hearings. The new courts building already is months past deadline, and all statements as to when Wisser's room might be ready are purely estimates. In reality, nobody knows when this trial might start, just as nobody knows why the DA settled for misdemeanor charges against Ramirez instead of first degree sexual assault.

Last updated February 9, 2001