Statement from the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression: FREE ANTHONY GAY NOW!
Summary:
Peoria, IL – Anthony Gay, a political prisoner in the Illinois Department of Corrections, awaits a
decision by Judge James Shadid in Federal Court in Peoria. His attorney, Jennifer Soble of the Illinois Prison Project, argued for Mr. Gay to be released from Peoria County Jail and put on electronic monitoring while he awaits sentencing in September. Attorney Soble noted that Anthony is not a violent offender, suffers from PTSD, and that time in the Peoria County Jail is harming his mental state.
Statement
On June 17th, 2022, Anthony Gay had a court hearing at the United States District Court of Central Illinois. This hearing was in response to a motion he filed to be released from Peoria County Jail and put on electronic monitoring while he awaits sentencing, currently scheduled to take place in mid-September.
Anthony was taken into custody of the Peoria County Jail on May 20th, 2022, and since then has had only four showers and been allowed to brush his teeth only four times.
Frank Chapman, Executive Director of the National Alliance, stated, “Anthony is awaiting sentencing on a framed-up gun charge brought against him by the Rock Island Police Department.”
In the hearing Anthony Gay’s lawyer, Jennifer Soble of the Illinois Prison Project, made a strong series of arguments why further incarceration would be catastrophic for his well-being. The court’s own psychological evaluation diagnosed Anthony with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from the 22 years in solitary confinement by the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Three different psychologists submitted evaluations supporting the fact that Anthony has PTSD that will only be worsened by further incarceration.
Attorney Soble also presented a plan for Anthony’s care once released onto electronic monitoring. She argued that Anthony has been most successful at managing his mental health when he is able to remain in contact with his support network and engage in activism. Not only is this evidence that Anthony would benefit from not being confined while awaiting sentencing, but it is also evidence that he does not pose a danger to the community and is not at risk of fleeing, which is exactly what needs to be proven to justify the motion.
According to Chapman, “The response of the prosecution - the same prosecution that Anthony faced in his unfair trial - was to make unfounded claims about Anthony’s mental health conditions.”
The source for these claims was the ruling of a judge from a court proceeding that did not include testimony from psychologists or experts with any knowledge of psychological conditions. The prosecution claimed Anthony was diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and even “sexual sadism.” They alleged that Anthony was attempting to “manipulate his conditions,” and described him several times as “manipulative.”
Chapman stated further, “They presented these racist, unscientific claims as though they were evidence, as they have many times throughout the proceedings in this case.”
The prosecution also raised as evidence the 18 convictions Anthony received while incarcerated in IDOC, claiming he had attacked guards and other inmates. Attorney Soble pointed out that the majority of these convictions were either instances where Anthony was convicted of destruction of property for engaging in self harm, or instances in which he spit at guards and was then charged with aggravated battery. She explained that she has 65 clients held in IDOC, and that every one of them has an aggravated battery charge for spitting at a guard on their record.
Judge James Shadid did not issue his ruling at the end of the hearing today and said he will need a few days to think it over and will issue a statement in the coming week.
Chapman concluded, “We eagerly await the results of his deliberation, and we continue to raise our demand loud and clear: Free Anthony Gay! Free All Political Prisoners!”