The Anchor

Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Grace Ionata Erika Atwell, defendant [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Grace Ionata Nick Lima, prosecution [Click to enlarge]

The impeachment trial of former Student Community Governement Deputy Speaker Ericka Atwell generated more questions than it answered. By the trial's conclusion at 2:30 a.m., a verdict had been reached but much more controversy was brewing under the surface. This may lead to many more empty desks in the SCG executive office than Atwell's alone.

The trial began with SCG Treasurer Andrew Jarbeau taking the floor to announce a possible settlement. Before the trial, Atwell met with the Executive Board and came to a compromise that could cancel the trial. The agreement stated that she could stay on Parliament but would be barred from running for high office for the rest of the school year.

Before Parliament could vote to accept this motion, they needed to take a vote to decide if they could end the trial. This vote came to a tie; Speaker Michael McKenna was called upon to break the tie. After he called a brief recess to think his vote over, he voted in favor of ending the trial. This vote broke the tie and began the discussion over the punishment.

After several votes, the compromise was not approved. The members of Parliament then held a vote to begin the trial as planned. This vote passed and opening statements began.

Nicholas Lima, President of SCG, started the case by presenting his evidence and calling his first witness, RIC junior Casey Gaul. Gaul testified that she was under the impression that the petition was for Atwell and signed it. Cross examination by both Atwell and the members of Parliament followed.

The second witness called by the prosecution was Ms. Atwell. She was on the stand for over 45 minutes as both sides went back and forth. The case broke for Atwell when the next witness was called. Atwell claimed that she obtained the first 38 signatures with the petitioner. Parliament member Ashley Dalton took the stand to say that when she signed the petition Ms. Atwell was alone; Dalton was signature 25.

Atwell then called SCG Secretary Christopher Buonanno to the stand. She asked him if he had signed the petition in question. When he responded "yes," the room went silent. Atwell pointed out that Buonanno was the fiftieth person to sign and that she was alone at the time. Buonanno admitted what he did was wrong, yet the damage was done.

There were rousing closing statements on both sides before Parliament deliberations began. A verdict was reached after a half-hour. Atwell was found guilty on two of the three charges and was impeached. The charge she was found not guilty on was the charge of misleading the executive council. On the two guilty charges Parliament member Jocelyn Dube was the only vote of "not guilty." Following this announcement, a private session was called by SCG; all those in attendance were forced to leave.

The events of this closed-door meeting were disclosed later. Secretary Buonanno announced that he may be resigning from his position. Also, former Vice President Christopher Giroux asked President Nick Lima and Treasurer Andrew Jarbeau to resign. This request has since been recanted on, and they will not be asked to resign.

"After meeting with Mr. Giroux we have decided that it is best for the student body if the rest of the EC board does not resign," said Lima.

Buonanno will not be resigning unless asked by parliament at this Wednesday's meeting to do so. "It is in the hand of parliament now." Was the comment from Buonanno to his decision. He expects the issue to be discussed and resolved one way or another at the next SCG meeting.

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