Judicial protest to last through the week

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October 25, 2006

Krystal J. Carman

“Justice 4 All/No More Kangaroo Courts,” “Justice for Jamie — Grand Jury Now,” and “Let My People Go” is the message on signs carried by a local protesting group that is unhappy with the Rogers County judicial process.

The “Let My People Go Campaign” protest began Monday in front of the Rogers County Courthouse and will continue through Saturday.

Dissatisfied with certain court cases handled within the Rogers County court system, the group is protesting and asking for some action to take place. Stephen Hager, leader of the protesting group, said they are “advocates for the spirit of truth,” asking officials to “re-examine” cases and former rulings.

Issues of protest were listed in a letter from Hager read to the Rogers County Commission last Monday when the group requested permission to protest on the courthouse property.

Among those issues were the James A. Hall reversal decision from the Oklahoma Civil Court of Appeals overruling the Rogers County court decision in a deprived child case; the “leniency and political pandering” of a case involving Ernest Eugene Haynes III, the son of Rogers County District Attorney Gene Haynes, who was convicted of several crimes including driving under the influence; and the revocation of a decision that removed Jamie Banzet from Drug Court and placed her in prison due to sanctions placed on her from Drug Court officials stating she violated Drug Court rules.

The list also stated there are “far too many other misjudgments” to list. When the protest began Monday, some of those “misjudgments” were revealed via a large billboard placed on the corner of Highway 66 and Patti Page Boulevard.

Only a handful of protestors have been seen carrying signs and speaking with those who have questions concerning the protest.