Exiles Picket As Bosch, Eight Other Cubans Charged

By Terry Johnson King

Miami News Latin American Writer

Dr. Orlando Bosch and eight other Cuban exiles were arraigned before Judge William O. Mehrtens in Federal Court today on charges that they conspired to damage foreign vessels belonging to nations who trade with Cuba.

Outside, more than 100 exiles carrying flags and large placards proclaiming their support for Bosch marched in front of the building.

The nine filed pleas of not guilty, and asked for a jury trial. Trial date was set for November 5.

The suspects – eight men and one woman – were arrested last Friday by FBI agents on a federal grand jury indictment. All except for the woman, Mirando Cruz who was released on bond, were jailed.

Despite their avowal to conduct a hunger strike, living only on bread and water, the prisoners looked well and healthy, but unkempt. All except Bosch were unshaven.

In contrast, Miss Cruz, who came forward from the crowded courtroom to be arraigned with the others was well-coiffed and neatly attired in a green print dress. She hung back slightly from the group during the proceedings.

Most of the sympathizers to the exiles’ cause were outside the building rather than in court. The orderly demonstration was directed by Dr. Diego Medina, public relations chief of the militant Alpha 66-Second Front of the Escamby exile organization.

Composed largely of Bay of Pigs veterans, this committee has been coordinating support for the defense of the charged exiles.

Although those charged had denied guilt, the demonstrators were not concerned with guilt or innocence – only in wanting the Cubans to wage their own vendetta against the Castro regime without interference.

Placards carried such slogans as “We Want Right To Fight”; “Jail Will Not Stop Us”; and “While Americans Die in Vietnam Cubans Are in Jail.”

All of the exile onlookers were not chosen for the single file processional. A scattering of tough-looking teenagers, women with pink rollers in their hair, and slouching men with baseball caps, were not handed flags. They merely stood back to watch.

The nine being arraigned were represented by Attorney Melvyn Greenspahn, who himself came in for sharp criticism from Judge Mehrtens for his failure to confer with all of those under indictment before the arraignment.

“I do not consider that an excuse for a continuance,” snapped Mehrtens. “This case is not going to be carried over. If you, as an attorney, do not have the time to represent your clients, we shall find other counsel.”

Greenspahn denied that he planned to seek a continuance, said he would seek a speedy trial for his clients. He claimed “limited facilities” at the jail accounted for his failure to hold adequate discussions with the prisoners.