Arraignment Delayed Again for Arcadia Woodlands 'Tree Sitters'

The arraignment for the Arcadia Woodlands "tree sitters" , this time to March 23.

Judge Stephanie M. Bowick issued a continuance Friday to John Quigley and Julia Jaye Posin, two of the four tree activists, who appeared in Alhambra Superior Court Friday with attorney Colleen Flynn by their side. The continuance was issued because the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office and Flynn are still in the process of discussing resolution to the case. 

Resolution appears unlikely though as Flynn told Patch after the arraignment that the D.A. wanted jail time for her clients. Quigley and Posin have balked at any agreement that would include time behind bars with Quigley adding, "We're going to go full on and fight [the charges] all the way."

Quigley and Posin, who along with Andrea Bowers and Travis Jochimsen were for climbing trees in an attempt to stop a that destroyed more than , face charges of trespassing, disturbing the peace, and delaying a peace officer.

Quigley and Posin hope to try the case in the court of public opinion. Many community members stand in solidarity behind the peaceful protesters, Quigley said. Posin has even set up a website, arcadia4justice.org, that encourages supporters to contribute to the group's sure-to-be costly legal defense fund. 

Posin's website also includes a a petition, signed by more than 300 people, that asks District Attorney Steve Cooley to not pursue charges against the protesters and instead investigate "the public officials for their deceptive, egregious, and potentially illegal planning process that led to the destruction of these old growth woodlands."

Jochimsen and Bowers did not appear in court Friday; Quigley said Jochimsen was in Northern California and Bowers was in New York. All four of the protesters are required to appear at their arraignment March 23, Judge Bowick said. The four will also have to sign a conflict of interest waiver. Flynn said this was common in cases in which defendents wish to be tried as a group.

Quigley will discuss the case and the group's experience in the trees on Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell Friday at 4 p.m. PST on CNN Headline News. He hopes the national attention will lead to more support for he and his fellow protesters.

"We can't let these trees be destroyed in vain," Quigley said.