Trial begins for man who climbed on roof of Washtenaw County administration building to protest

At one point, Riney told Lee if officers approached, he would stand on the edge of the roof so if he was Tasered, he would fall off, Lee testified.

Lee’s testimony about two phone conversations he had with Riney in a 15-minute span that day came during the opening day of Riney’s trial in 15th District Court today. Riney faces misdemeanor charges of attempted resisting and obstructing, trespassing and disturbing the peace.

Riney's more than 13-hour protest ended when SWAT team members grabbed hold of him on the roof and took him into custody after a negotiator and sheriff's detective spent at least 45 minutes attempting to convince him to come down.

During cross-examination, Lee acknowledged Riney was polite during the conversations, said he didn't have weapons and made it clear he wasn't going to harm anyone or himself.

Prosecutors played recordings of two 911 calls Riney made during the incident. In the first, he identified himself, said he was conducting a "peaceful demonstration" about the "lack of jobs in the area" and wanted to notify the police department about what was going on. He told the dispatcher he didn't have any weapons and planned to be on the roof for about five days. 

Riney claimed he needed attention because none of the politicians would listen and he hoped the protest would result in media coverage. He brought a car battery with him, a tent, a couple computers, water, Gatorade and vitamin pills, he told the dispatcher.

At one point, the dispatcher said, "It seems a little extreme."

Bill Riney

Riney made a second 911 call to report that some youths were in a potentially dangerous situation in a nearby parking structure. In that call, he identified himself as "the guy sitting on the top of the building."

Jon Voelkner, program administrator for Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, spent 45 to 50 minutes on the roof with a sheriff’s detective the morning after Labor Day, attempting to talk Riney into coming down.

It was about 4 a.m. and Voelkner said he was concerned about Riney's fatigue level as he attempted to bring the incident to a peaceful resolution. The conversation with Riney ended when Riney laid on a mattress near the edge of the roof and pulled a blanket over his head, Voelkner testified.

"It was a risky situation for all people involved," Voelkner said.

Under cross-examination, Voelkner said Riney didn't pose a threat to him or the detective and was taken into custody "without incident."

Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Stacie Shaw said during opening arguments that the incident attracted onlookers, and Riney refused orders from police.

Shaw said Riney had every right to protest.

"However, the means he went about doing it, he broke the law," she said.

Riney’s attorney, Nader Nassif, said during opening arguments that his client remained peaceful throughout the night.

“I submit to you that it was not criminal," Nassif said. “I submit to you that he was peaceful in his protest. He was polite in how he conducted himself. He was proud of his cause.”

Riney is expected to testify during the trial, which is scheduled to continue at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.