Trial begins for man who climbed on roof of Washtenaw County administration building to protest
Ann Arbor police officer Sean Lee said he told Bill Riney at least twice on Labor Day that he must get down from the roof of the Washtenaw County Administration Building or be arrested for trespassing.
Riney, who claimed to be conducting a peaceful protest to support the unemployed, declined to come down and said if officers "came up to him, there would be problems," Lee testified Wednesday.
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.
Comments
julieswhimsies
Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.
@Mick I guess I should qualify my remark to say that this entire incident was blown way out of proportion...from the SWAT team being on site...to all of the anger and brouhaha being expressed by posters about this man's political "statement".
Mick52
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.
Julies, the trial is only held at the request of the accused as per his Constitutional right to a trial. To classify that as blown out of proportion suggests his rights should not be provided to him.
julieswhimsies
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.
A trial?!....for trespassing? This whole thing has been blown entirely out of proportion.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 2:55 p.m.
In recent weeks, we have seen an explosion of articles on bullying and the impact it has on the person who is being bullied. Yet, the law enforcement arm of our society including the courts can be used to bully those that are somehow different than what we perceive the norm to be. The police, the mental health professional and others agreed that Mr. Riney did not pose a threat to himself or anyone else, but because he chose a method of protest or to bring attention to some critical issues in our community, he is being bullied by those in authority. Too often, the courts are used to bully citizens who can least afford to challenge their bullying tactics. Mr. Riney's tactics may not feel "comfortable" for some but he is not a criminal or a threat to himself or society, nor did he cause any damage to the county building whose roof he climbed on, yet he is being treated as such and portrayed as mentally ill. You want to know where kids learn bullying?
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 12:55 p.m.
LOL, that was funny Roadman. Maybe someone local could write something about Riney, I'm not much of a musician. I personally think Riney is a little wacky, but his heart is in the right place. I just dont like the thought of people with M-16's, being called to possibly take someone out who disagrees.
Roadman
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
Yeah, maybe Crosby, Stills Nash, Young can compose a song memorializing Riney's perch atop tthe building.
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
Lets get this straight...The people who made a decision to send in a SWAT team to stop a peaceful protest, should be the ones responsible for paying back the recourses. Not Riney!! Also, we do not send bank robbers, rapist, and drug dealers an invoice for the cost of policing themselves...Why should we treat a peacful protester more harshly than a rapist or bank robber? The whole situation stinks of a 'Kent State' style police state.
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 11:41 a.m.
I support Bill Riney!!!
SonnyDog09
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 11:26 a.m.
I guess one has to be a lawyer to say (I assume, with a straight face) that his client broke the law, but that it "was not criminal."
walker101
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 10:25 a.m.
He had one too many dogs.
aanative
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
Stop fawning over this guy. There are all kinds of ways of doing good deeds and helping out one's community without breaking the law (or giving away nitrate-laden food!) This guy's idea of a protest had no clear intent to "call attention to joblessness" - it was a stunt, nothing more.
DFSmith
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
I wonder how many jobs were created or how many people were lifted above the poverty line due to Mr Riney's "protest?
tommy_t
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.
I'm sure since he didn't commit embezzlement, aggravated assault, vehicular homicide, armed robbery or murder this should get him a minimum 15-25 year sentence instead of parole.
eyeloveypsi
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 8:18 a.m.
If he believes he had "every right" to do what he did, I hope he also believes he should be responsible for all court and other costs. This, of course won't happen, Riney is just claiming his "rights" at taxpayer expense. I will pass on his "free" hot dogs.
bedrog
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 7:07 a.m.
If,as DF correctly noted, this guy is an " attention whore", what do you call those who drool over them?... "publicity johns??"
roadsidedinerlover
Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 2:08 a.m.
Pileddriver....That comment is not called for here. I saw this man outside the Social Services building this past week and he was handing out his free hot dogs to some really hungry adults and children who really appreciated his thoughtfulness and charity. maybe he could have done things differently but I think his heart is in a good place. He is doing his part for the unemployed and hungry and in my book, that is what Jesus wants us to do for each other!!
Piledriver
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 11:41 p.m.
He's Cookoo for Coco Puffs!
Mick52
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 10:40 p.m.
This is like the Shirvell case. Sure you do have a Constitutional right to protest but that does not extend to the ability to protest WHERE you want to protest. You can't pick any spot you want and use that right to claim a right to be there. How did he get on the roof? That door is supposed to be locked.
treetowncartel
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 10:37 p.m.
I saw the now infamous hot dog cart headed down Packard towards Ann Arbor on Saturday with the sleigh on board. Anyone know if we grilling at the Big Chill?
breadman
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 8:43 p.m.
What a waste of tax payers $$$.... Lets get real.. I do need a hot dog too keep warm. Very cold, hungry!!!!!!!!
bedrog
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 8:12 p.m.
roadman....no doubt you would... and DF, quite right.
Aces Full
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 7:47 p.m.
I certainly hope that Mr. Riney is responsible for paying for the resources (including holiday pay) used in response to his inappropriate actions. This was completely uncalled for. Perhaps he should stick to eating hot dogs from the comfort of his own living room and not on top of county buildings.
Mark
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 7:35 p.m.
It seems like a waste of incredibly valuable bed space to keep Mr. Riney for thirty days. That's thirty days a violent criminal could be in jail away from society.
DFSmith
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 7:18 p.m.
Mr Riney seems to be a person who the college-ages folks call an "attention-whore". His pointless "protests" have achieved exactly nothing. Maybe he ought to look ta how other successful activists achieve their goals, without having to pull stupid stunts that achieve nothing.
Roadman
Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 7:12 p.m.
I hope we see some jury nullification here and this fine citizen is acquitted. But I would prefer that he just pass out hot dogs; it's much safer. I would vote for Bill Riney if he ran again.