RNC 8 counsel wants evidence tossed

The RNC 8 get wholesome for the camera.

The eight people accused of conspiring to aggressively sabotage the 2008 Republican Nation Convention -- dubbed the RNC 8 -- will appear in court six times next month for an evidentiary hearing in preparation for their trial, set to begin this October.

The RNC 8's attorneys will try to convince a judge that evidence seized during raids before the convention should be thrown out. Bob Kolstad, attorney for one of the defendants, plans to argue that warrants used to arrest the accused were "insufficient" and contained factual inaccuracies, he says.

"We're also arguing to have the whole case thrown out because there is not probable cause," says Kolstad.

The RNC 8 face felony charges of conspiracy to commit riot and conspiracy to damage property. The accusations stem from evidence gathered by undercover agents and informants who infiltrated the group before the convention, which led to the raids.

Authorities say the RNC 8 intended to enact a sinister plan at the convention that involved kidnapping delegates and disabling police cars. The eight were arrested before the convention started.

The RNC 8 celebrated a small victory earlier this week when Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, whose office is prosecuting them, dropped out of the race for governor.

As has been the case with previous court dates, RNC 8 allies plan to fill the May hearings in a show of support for the accused.

The details:

When: May 3rd-6th, 13th & 14th, 9am-4pm each day

Where: Ramsey County Courthouse, Courtroom 131-B, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd, St.
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