From: WIENER.GCS@pc.gcs.litton.com (WIENER, DAN  WH:3708)
To: firearms-alert@shell.portal.com (wiener)
Subject: CA: Masters Defense Fund
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 95 18:14

     A legal defense fund has been set up for William Masters, who
earlier this year shot and killed a tagger and wounded a second one
after they threatened him.  Even though the Los Angeles District
Attorney ruled that it was self-defense, the Los Angeles City
Attorney proceeded to charge Masters with two misdemeanor counts of
carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and carrying a loaded
gun.  He faces up to 18 months in jail and a $2000 fine.

     The trial date is set for July 17th.  Masters has the option
of demanding a jury trial (which he will probably exercise), which
of course opens up the possibility of jury nullification.  He also
has a variety of good legal arguments ranging from constitutional,
to technical defects in the law, to Los Angeles' refusal to issue
CCW permits (zero permits were issued for 18 years, resulting in a
recent lawsuit which L.A. was forced to settle).  Unfortunately
Masters may be prevented from presenting most of those arguments to
the jury, and will have to pursue them on appeal.

     Masters has just retained a new attorney, Mr. Chuck Michael. 
I don't know all the details of his problems with the previous
attorney, but that's the reason for the delay in setting up a
defense fund.  Legal expenses could range up to $20-25,000.

     This will be a very high-profile trial.  Unquestionably it
will garner a huge amount of publicity.  And should Masters be
acquitted, or even if he gets a hung jury, it will be a devastating
blow for everyone in the anti-self-defense crowd.  The Los Angeles
Times would editorialize hysterically (and correctly) that other
people will now be encouraged to carry firearms and get away with
it.  HCI and other gun-control fanatics would come unglued.  The
pressure to reform California's concealed-carry laws will increase
enormously.

     On the other hand, if Masters is convicted and loses his
appeal, it will be open season on anyone else who's ever caught in
California with a gun and no permit.

     Therefore I strongly encourage contributions to help out Mr.
Masters.  If he wins, we all win a tremendous victory.  Send your
checks to:
               Masters Defense Fund
               P.O. Box 341511
               Arleta, CA 91334-1511

     I'll post more information as events unfold.

-- Dan Wiener (wiener@pc.gcs.litton.com  or  dpwiener@aol.com)