Olympia charges 3 protesters

Prosecutor won't say why others have not been charged

By Jeremy Pawloski | The Olympian • Published May 16, 2008

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"It's laughable that they're being charged with anything," Sochet said. "They weren't doing anything illegal."

The Olympian reported in November that Khanna was charged with pedestrian interference and resisting arrest after his arrest Nov. 8. According to Khanna's Nov. 8 citation, written by an Olympia police officer, "I observed Shyam intentionally get in front of a vehicle in the roadway. This caused the vehicle to brake and swerve quickly to avoid a collision. Shyam was then told he was under arrest. He refused to exit a group of people and tried to physically prevent his arrest. He was arrested and booked." Khanna has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Another man, Jonathan Steiner, also was arrested for allegedly blocking a military vehicle in the road Nov. 8. His name was not included in Thursday's news release from the city of Olympia; it was unclear why Thursday night. The Olympian reported in November that Steiner pleaded not guilty to pedestrian interference and obstructing a police officer.

'Random'

Sochet said "it seems kind of random" for the prosecutor's office to charge only three people, but he expects that more will face charges.

Sochet said OlyPMR would like to see an independent review board investigate the police actions during the protests. He said he was not arrested.

According to Olympia's news release, the Olympia City Attorney's Office has bolstered staffing to assist with the continued review of the Olympia Police Department's investigation of the protests.

In addition, the city attorney's office will rely on help from the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for help reviewing the OPD's arrests during protests Nov. 13, 2007. OPD arrested 42 people that evening.

Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney Ed Holm said Thursday that his office has not yet received any materials from the city attorney's office.

Jeremy Pawloski covers public safety for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5465 or jpawloski@theolympian.com.