Death penalty protester sentenced for trespassing
RALEIGH (AP) - A death penalty protester has been convicted of trespassing during the execution of an inmate two years ago.
A Wake Superior Court jury on Thursday convicted 48-year-old Mary S. Rider of trespassing at Central Prison when she and others protested the execution of Samuel Flippen in 2006.
Rider said she was exercising her First Amendment rights to freedom of expression and religion by protesting. She was accused of leaving a designated protest area near the prison on the night of the execution.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported the Roman Catholic woman was given probation and fined $354 but said she would not pay. Judge Michael Morgan then activated a 15-day sentence and she was taken to jail.
Flippen was executed for killing his 2-year-old stepdaughter.
