John Jacob Oliver Jr., chairman of the board and publisher of the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper, was found guilty and received probation before judgment yesterday in connection with two traffic incidents.
He was ordered to pay a $50 fine, plus $18 in court costs.
"I'm disappointed because I still think I was right," said Oliver, 50, of the ruling by District Court Judge Martin A. Kircher.
The case received much attention in February after Oliver wrote a front-page account in the Afro about his arrest and 8 1/2 -hour stay in jail.
He was stopped by city police Officer Glenn A. Zinn on Feb. 20 on suspicion of running a red light while driving west on North Avenue near Eutaw Street. Then, a police check showed that Oliver had a suspended driver's license.
Oliver testified that he was surprised to learn that his license was suspended. He could not recall receiving a notice about the suspension, which he received for failing to pay a $25 ticket received in March 1995 for driving without a seat belt. He also said he didn't recall receiving a notice to appear in court on the seat belt charge.
In addition, Oliver testified that the traffic light was yellow when he entered the intersection.
Zinn of the Central District testified the light was red when Oliver's car entered the intersection.
Asked after the trial why he didn't exercise his option to release Oliver, who did not appear to be at risk of flight, Zinn said, "That didn't make any difference to me. I don't treat people differently -- I treat everybody the same."
"Being in jail," Oliver wrote in the Afro-American, "is a humiliating experience, which should be reserved for only those extreme situations where it is justified."
Pub Date: 5/09/96
