Cynthia Pryor rejects plea bargain; jury trial to be June 15

MARQUETTE -- Cynthia Pryor is moving closer to a jury trial set for June 15, 2010, in Marquette County’s 96th Judicial District Court. Pryor has rejected the Prosecuting Attorney’s plea bargain which would call for her to plead guilty to the charge of trespass and accept a "delay of sentence" -- which would give her credit for time served, offer terms of probation and, if she meets the conditions of those terms, likely dismiss the charges against her.

Pryor was adamant about her decision: "The state lease language is clear that all permits must be obtained before work on the mine can begin," she said. "Kennecott should not have started work on state land that day and I should not have been arrested for being there. The plea bargain offered by the prosecutor would require me to plead guilty. I will not do so. I shall go on to a jury trial with a plea of not guilty and let a jury of my peers decide the case."

Pryor’s jury trial is set for 8 a.m. on June 15, 2010, in District Court Room 215 with Judge Roger Kangas presiding. The misdemeanor charge of trespass can carry a sentence of up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of $250. Cynthia is represented by Attorney Kevin Koch.

Cynthia Pryor was arrested April 20, 2010, for trespass on state land on the Yellow Dog Plains. She resides nearby with her husband, both of Big Bay.

Photo: Cynthia Pryor outside the Marquette Courthouse on the morning of May 6, 2010, before her pre-trial conference concerning the trespass charge. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)