Banno released on lowered bail following cop's medical exam

Yusuke "Josh" Banno, a former political science junior at the UA, who was arrested in New York last week while protesting the Republican National Convention, was released on $10,000 bond Friday, down from an initial $200,000 bail.

Banno was arrested Aug. 29 and faced several charges, including assault on a police officer, in his alleged involvement with the burning of a large green paper-mâché dragon during the protest.

Banno's bail was reduced after a medical exam concluded that an officer involved in the arrest was not severely hurt while arresting Banno near the fire, as the officer reported. Because the assault charge was reduced, bail was also reduced.

The final determination of $10,000 bond was the result of a compromise between the prosecution and the defense in the case.

The charges in addition to assault on a police officer were assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment, riot in the first degree and resisting arrest, many of which can carry 5-year sentences.

"It's a completely bogus charge. They were just looking for someone and it happened to me," Banno said.

Barbara Thompson, spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, said, "There is an extremely strong case against him. He was arrested next to the fire, and the officer who tried to arrest Banno was pulled to the floor and the officer's hand was lodged in the burning dragon."

Reports stated that the officer suffered third-degree burns, and was hospitalized with "possible nerve damage."

But the preliminary results of a medical examination brought up during Banno's indictment Friday showed that there was no major damage to the officer's hand, said Lenny Molina, spokesperson for the Banno Defense Committee, who was present at the court proceedings.

The Banno Defense Committee, composed of Banno supporters, is trying to raise money to help his family pay the bond fee and to cover Banno's travel costs and other expenses.

"They didn't say exactly what the medical finding was. We do know that Josh did not resist arrest. There were definitely no serious medical injuries," Molina said.

"We also know that the assault charges are bogus because we have multiple witnesses that say Josh didn't resist arrest in any way," Molina said.

In addition to other witnesses, Banno said there was a legal observer from the National Lawyers Guild who was standing next to him at the time of the fire.

Banno's next court appearance will be for his pre-trial Oct. 9, in the New York State Supreme Court, but Thompson said more evidence against Banno is likely to be revealed at his trial sometime within the next six months. The state supreme court is the lowest-level trial court in New York.

But Banno supporters have been vocal since his Aug. 30 arraignment, where many were escorted out of the courtroom by police officers while shouting obscenities in response to allegations that Banno was the primary mastermind of the dragon burning.

A flier put together by the Banno Defense Committee says, "Josh was participating in a permitted, peaceful, nonviolent, legal march in New York on Aug 29 when the police arrested him ... Josh was made out to be the ringleader of the incident, receiving the most serious charges and the highest bail. The prosecutor based this claim on false evidence."

"He is not at all a violent person who would put anyone at risk," said Alex Holznienkemper, international studies senior and long time friend of Banno. Holznienkemper said that Banno is devoted to helping the community, having taken part with Alternative Spring Breaks in helping impoverished Mexican communities improve their infrastructure, and with assisting prisoner support groups such as the Sherman Austin support group in Tucson.

"Josh has often been known to help homeless people by going around town and handing food to people who are less fortunate than most of us," he said.

Banno said that while he was in prison, supporters gathered in a parking lot across the street from his jail cell, holding up large signs and chanting, "Free Josh Banno."

"It really blows me away when you think that the people you love and know will always support you when you need it," Banno said. "I definitely couldn't of made it emotionally without the support from everybody."

"I spent six days in jail for not doing anything. I'm happy that I'm out. I'm happy to be back in Tucson," he said.

For more information on the Banno Defense Committee, visit www.218style.com/josh.