Governor's sister-in-law faces misdemeanor charge
Chicago, IL -
Deborah Mell, the 35-year-old lesbian daughter of Alderman Richard Mell and sister-in-law of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, learned today that her battery case will go to trial.
Mell faces a misdemeanor charge in connection to a gay marriage protest in front of the Cook County Administration Building Thursday, March 4th where she was handcuffed and taken away in a police van after an altercation with police as they tried to clear the demonstrators from Washington Street across from Daley Plaza.
Mell was one of about 300 same-sex marriage advocates who were demanding that the county clerk issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. A week prior, Cook County Clerk David Orr said that although he supported gay marriage rights state law forbids him from issuing them. (story)
At the time of her arrest, Mell’s father said he supported his daughter and that he is opposed to a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Mell, who has never been arrested before and was the only person arrested at the March protest, says she’s innocent of police allegations.
“I hope the younger generation can see we’re working hard for their right to marry. We’re not going to give up,” Mell told the media this morning outside the courthouse.
“It’s a false charge, Ms. Mell was not out to fight with police, she was out for the right to marry,” added Joey Mogul, Mell’s attorney.
Mell's case is scheduled to go before a jury on May 5th.
Mell faces a misdemeanor charge in connection to a gay marriage protest in front of the Cook County Administration Building Thursday, March 4th where she was handcuffed and taken away in a police van after an altercation with police as they tried to clear the demonstrators from Washington Street across from Daley Plaza.
Mell was one of about 300 same-sex marriage advocates who were demanding that the county clerk issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. A week prior, Cook County Clerk David Orr said that although he supported gay marriage rights state law forbids him from issuing them. (story)
At the time of her arrest, Mell’s father said he supported his daughter and that he is opposed to a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Mell, who has never been arrested before and was the only person arrested at the March protest, says she’s innocent of police allegations.
“I hope the younger generation can see we’re working hard for their right to marry. We’re not going to give up,” Mell told the media this morning outside the courthouse.
“It’s a false charge, Ms. Mell was not out to fight with police, she was out for the right to marry,” added Joey Mogul, Mell’s attorney.
Mell's case is scheduled to go before a jury on May 5th.
