Heicklen leaves court, justice issues warrant

BELLEFONTE -- Retired Professor Julian Heicklen has been trying for several weeks to get his day in court.

Yesterday he was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on charges of marijuana possession, however, Heicklen left the courthouse angry before his case could be heard, resulting in a warrant for his arrest.

Heicklen said he felt he had waited long enough for his 1 p.m. hearing. By 20 minutes after the scheduled time, Heicklen left the courthouse, complaining of a slow trial process.

The preliminary hearing was for charges filed after Heicklen's Feb. 25 marijuana protest. The hearing took place later in the afternoon in the absence of Heicklen. District Justice Allen Sinclair, realizing Heicklen was not in the courtroom, issued a bench warrant for Heicklen's arrest.

Sinclair said Heicklen could have come before him as early as last night, depending on when the warrant was filed.

When Heicklen is arrested, he will go before Sinclair for an arraignment. At this meeting, Sinclair said he could set bail or release Heicklen, and he will also set the date for his new preliminary hearing on marijuana possession charges.

"I hope they do it before dinner," Heicklen said. "I haven't made any dinner plans yet."

Heicklen said police actions will determine if he will continue his weekly protest today. On past Thursdays, Heicklen has held marijuana protests on College Avenue with the intent to nullify all marijuana laws.

For the past few weeks, Heicklen has made similar claims of the slow trial process. Heicklen said he has not received a speedy trial because his preliminary hearing date was set almost a month after the charges were filed.

"That's the arrogance of tyranny, and it must not be tolerated," Heicklen added.

The three other people charged in the February protest with Heicklen will have their preliminary hearings next Wednesday.