PRISONERS

Mark Taylor
IAN MARRIOT , UNDER-MANAGER at the Mecca Ritz ballroom in Manchester died on the 28th September 1990, from the inhalation of hydrofluoric acid fumes. Carl Golds had intended to damage Marriot's car with the acid, but panicked when Marriot appeared and threw the acid at the car, splashing Marriot's clothes in the process, from which he inhaled the fumes. Mark Taylor was a doorman at the Ritz at the time. He had previously discussed with Golds how Marriot was disliked by the staff and that he would like to give him a leaving present, such as damaging his car. Mark was not present at the actual incident. Initially, the police seemed to view the incident for what it was- a tragic accident. However after a change of heart they started telling the media that it was a gangland killing, appealing to the 'underworld' for help. Mark was arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder.

At the trial, the prosecution made out that Mark was a dangerous underworld figure, based on the stereotype of doormen being thugs. The jury was given police protection as they claimed there was a threat to them.

The evidence against Mark was non-existent: three statements were made that he had quarrelled with Marriot and asked Golds to harm him, the three people contradicted these statements in court saying the police had pressurised them into making them: the only other evidence came from Golds his co-accused who changed his plea to guilty during the trial and gave evidence against Mark. Finally, the jury unable to decide, and despite protests from the defence, were given tapes to listen to which had been covertly recorded by the police during family visits to Mark while he was on remand. In these tapes he was heard to say how he hated Marriot and the police for the way in which he was being treated. In context these were not surprising comments. He had been held for a long period in police 'container' cells, where he suffered from claustrophobia and deep depression, never having been locked up before, and he made a serious suicide attempt. Added to this his girlfriend was suffering harassment from a DC Hatton who repeatedly visited her demanding she make a statement incriminating Mark until she was forced to complain about him.

Mark Taylor is no underworld figure, he had a 'responsible' job, and only a few weeks earlier had saved Marriot from a serious beating as witnesses have testified. He had admitted that it was stupid to have considered damaging the car, yet he was found guilty in July 1991, and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation from the judge that he serve 20 years.

The police agenda was upheld once again. The public had been saved from the criminal underworld who kill their victims in the most brutal manner and only the police can defeat. The criminal underworld did not exist! And hydrofluoric acid, as the weapon of the assassin is difficult to believe to say the least as there is only one other known case of someone dying from these fumes and that was thirty years ago, hardly a what could be described as a fail safe method of killing.

Since his conviction, Mark has been fighting his case, and attempting to get an appeal against his conviction. He would welcome -and deserves- your support!
Write to: Mark Taylor EE0302 HMP Full Sutton, Moor Lane, Full Sutton, York, Y04 1PS
More information:- ACF, PO Box 5754, Elgin, IV30 2ZD

Gandalf 6
ON THE 16TH JANUARY 1996, four editors of Green Anarchist, the editor of the ALF Supporters Group News Letter, and the ALF press officer were arrested at the instigation of ARNI (Animal Rights National Index, part of Special Branch). This was the culmination of Operation Washington, which the police had claimed had been running since 1991 and included 55 police raids in Britain during 1995 and 1996.

The six were charged with conspiracy to incite criminal damage for reporting direct action news or knowing others who had. It carries a sentence of up to ten years imprisonment. Conspiracy is a catch all charge used basically when the police have no evidence. No criminal damage need be done, or any one need feel incited to do it; they need know nobody doing damage and need know each other only indirectly- in this case attending the same political rally. Basically the defendants have to prove they didn't intend anything. Conspiracy is merely a tool of repression, it serves no other purpose.

The committal hearing took place on 9-16th December in Portsmouth. During this it was admitted that MI5 had been involved in the case, a clear sign that the 'spooks' are looking for new areas to entertain their warped minds in. It was also stated that without the ALF press officer there would be no case, however he walked free because he already been tried unsuccessfully on the same evidence. The police will be appealing this decision at the High Court this Easter.

This is a blatant attempt to silence political opposition through legal process. It must be opposed!
Contact:- GANDALF Defendants Campaign, PO Box 66, Stevenage, SG12TR

Anti-Fascists On Trial In Poland
AFTER REPEATED VIOLENT attacks by fascists in the town of Radomsko on young people there, a group of them got together to defend themselves as the authorities had turned a blind eye. A fight broke out and the police arrested 17 anti fascists. It later transpired that a fascist had died.

There are now 13 people in prison awaiting trial for the death, and 4 others are to be tried in a juvenile court, They need YOUR support and desperately require money to help pay legal costs.
Send messages of support to:- Krysztof Biedolak/ Stanisiaw Szczesniewski/ Grzegorz Pasak/ Zbigniew Sikorski/ Adam Wloka, Areszt Sledczy, Lodz, ul. Smunta 21 Poland.
Mariusz Orzinski/ Marcin Baranski/ Zbignew Gorzelak, Zaklad Karny, Sieradz, Poland.
Mariusz Zych/ Tomasz Wilkoszewski/ Rafal Socha/ Grzegorz Niedbala/ Andzej Szczesniewski, Areszt Sledczy, Piotkrow Trybualski, Poland.
Defence Fund Michael Swiderski, PO Box 21-400 Lukow, Poland.
Letters of protest :- Saol Wojewodski, ul. Stowackiego5, 97-300, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland.
More information:- MRE, Box 74, 04-520 Warsaw 106 Poland, or
ACK/ABC- c/o GIS, PO Box 1457, 45-716 Opole7 Poland