Boston Judge Had 'No Authority' In Straight Pride Case

BOSTON — The state Supreme Court ruled Monday that a Boston Municipal Court judge had "no authority" to force Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins to prosecute some individuals protesting a recent "Straight Pride" parade. Judge Richard Sinnott earlier rejected motions by Rollins to drop charges against some of the protesters.

"Fundamentally, the judge had no authority to 'deny' the Commonwealth's entry of a nolle prosequi," wrote Justice Frank M. Gaziano, according to court documents. "His effort to do so violated the Commonwealth's constitutional rights under art. 30 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights."

Following the arrest of 36 protesters at a Straight Pride rally in Boston last week, Rollins asked Sinnott to dismiss charges against seven people who were not charged with a violent crime. Sinnott only granted dismissals for two of those individuals.

"There's clarity now," Rollins said during a news conference after Justice Gaziano's ruling. "We thought we had it but now it's crystal clear that we have the authority to do what we did."

She said she decided not to drop charges against the seven protesters because they had no criminal record and were not accused of violence during the protest.

Eight others accused of assault and battery against police officers or others were arraigned.

"If you're violent and disruptive and it's a serious crime you will be held accountable under this administration," Rollins added.

During the arraignments, Sinnott held a defense attorney in contempt and ordered her taken into custody because she kept speaking over him while she was read case law arguing he had no authority to reject Rollins' decision. The charge was later dropped.

Watch Rollins discuss the case: