Updating Matt’s piece from earlier today, the verdict is in on the “RAGING GRANNIES,” who for the crime of protesting the army recruitment center was charged with criminal mischief. The prosecuting attorney tried painting them as terrorists, because he’s a dick. Anyway, the jury is back, and the Grannies are… INNOCENT! Here’s the press release:

A Multnomah County jury found five grandparents charged with “unlawfully and intentionally causing substantial inconvenience to the United States” not guilty of Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree on Thursday, December 13. Judge Richard Baldwin heard the case. After the decision one of the jurors referred to the defendants as “heroes.” The case stems from a silent vigil held by the Surge Protection Brigade, also know as the Seriously Pissed Off Grannies, on Good Friday, April 6, at the US Army and Marine recruiting center on NE Broadway.

More after the jump!

Judge Baldwin allowed the jury to consider a "lesser of evils" defense after defendants testified that they felt compelled to take action to stop the imminent danger of death to Iraqi civilians and American soldiers. Between the time of the Good Friday vigil on April 6 and December 12 an additional 621 US Service members died in Iraq.

The jury began deliberations Thursday morning at 9:50 and deliberated for about a half an hour. The grandparents who are defendants used tempera paint to send a symbolic message protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as claimed by Defense Attorney Lisa Ludwig, or if the powerful paint caused substantial inconvenience to the United States, and possibly worse as described by the District Attorney, Seth Steward. Steward called upon the jury to render a guilty verdict to "protect our troops." He warned the jury of the danger of a not guilty verdict: "Think of some evils that could happen," he said, "and why it is important for the line to be drawn here. On September 11 some people drove planes into a building to prove a point. The defendants say their conduct is necessary to avoid imminent danger because people dying in Iraq. That is the same thing suicide bombers say."

In his closing argument for defendant Clyde Chamberlain, Attorney Robert Callahan, told the jury that the District Attorney was trying to turn a simple bottle of red tempera paint into "a weapon of mass inconvenience." The water soluble poster paint was used to place red handprints on the window of the Army/Marine Recruiting office at 1371 NE Broadway on April 6, 2007. Chamberlain and the other defendants, Sara Graham, Ann Huntwork, Martha Odom and DeEtte Beghtol all testified that they were motivated by deep convictions and a sense that there was no other way to try to stop the war. "It is not to inconvenience the recruiters," said Martha Odom, "it's a way to stand witness to folks who may not be thinking about this war"

After the jury was dismissed Judge Baldwin ruled on the lesser violation charge of applying graffiti. He found them guilty and imposed a fine of $100, ignoring defense please that their high level of community service be taken into account.