Local News in Brief : ‘Reich Skins’ Charges
Charges of organizing a terrorist group to commit unlawful acts were dismissed Monday against an 18-year-old high school dropout and reputed leader of the neo-Nazi San Fernando Valley “Reich Skins” group.
But San Fernando Municipal Judge Paul Metzler ordered Michael Martin of Chatsworth to stand trial on one count each of attempted burglary and assault with a deadly weapon. The judge issued his rulings at the conclusion of a preliminary hearing.
In dismissing three felony counts of criminal syndicalism, Metzler agreed with a defense contention that the statute dealing with organizing terrorist groups is over-broad, too vague and infringed on Martin’s right of free speech.
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