Despite rain and freezing temperatures, supporters and family members of The Justice 8 showed up to the Victorville Superior Courthouse on Wednesday morning to show their support for the activists, who stand accused of allegedly engaging in violent acts at two demonstrations that took place this past September of 2023.
The eight activists, who were arrested by The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department three weeks ago today and denied bail, were all present in court for their preliminary hearing. This included Gullit “Jaguar” Acevedo, who was the only defendant released on bail last week, and Wendy Lujan, who was previously quarantined due to exposure to COVID.
At the last court hearing, San Bernardino Deputy District Attorney Jason Wilkinson presented details regarding two incidents involving the group, one on September 3rd and the other on September 24th, stemming from a protest over video showing a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputy allegedly using excessive force on a teenage girl.
On Wednesday at approximately 9:51 A.M., Detective Travis Johnson of the Pomona Police Department was the first witness to take the stand for cross-examination.
For the last four months, Johnson has led the investigation regarding two separate incidents on September 3rd, which took place in Pomona and involved a John Doe #1 and John Doe #2.