Illegal lodging convictions 11/11/12 10p.m. TDH
A santa cruz woman has been found guilty of violating the city’s ban on overnight camping. Linda lemaster was arrested in august of 2010, during a protest at the county building on ocean street. homeless people and homeless advocates were protesting the city’s ban on sleeping outside during overnight hours. Lemaster’s defense maintained that she was not sleeping, but was lying down due to pain from a disability, which prevented her from sitting. Prosecutors argued that lemaster was given clear warnings, (and time to leave), but she did not do so. A santa cruz county jury has agreed, and convicted lemaster of illegal lodging. She faces 6-months in jail, when she is sentenced December 3rd.
