Judge convicts men in Erie gun rally case
By LISA THOMPSON, Erie Times-News
lisa.thompson@timesnews.com
Eight men who carried guns into Perry Square during a June gun-rights rally have been found guilty of violating a city ordinance that bans firearms and other weapons from public parks.
Erie 4th Ward District Judge Tom Robie issued the ruling today, one day after the men appeared for summary trials in Erie County Court.
Robie assessed fines and costs of $220.50 against the organizer, Justin Dillon, 26, of Erie, and each of the other seven defendants -- Allen E. Lepley, 34, of Canonsburg; Edward J. Tenon, 33, of Erie; Christopher Phillips, 45, of Erie; Jay Ziegler, 32, of Erie; Donald L. Davis, 34, of Catasauqua, a suburb of Allentown; Ryan R. Avione, 21, of Erie; and Brian Shank, 49, of Erie.
The men plan to appeal the ruling in Erie County Court, the men's lawyer, Joshua Prince of Bechtelsville, Berks County.
"We are greatly disappointed in Judge Robie's decision in light of the evidence submitted by the Commonwealth, the testimony provided by the Erie police department and the binding statutory and case law precedent that precludes such a determination," Prince said.