Animal rights activist Wayne Hsiung was found guilty of one felony and two misdemeanor charges after nearly a week of deliberations before a Sonoma County jury. The charges are in connection with poultry farm “open rescues” that took place at Sunrise Farms in 2018 and Reichardt Duck Farm in 2019, both outside Petaluma, Calif.
Hsiung, 42, was convicted of two misdemeanor trespassing counts, including one count of trespassing with the intent to disrupt a lawful business and a felony charge of conspiracy to commit trespass. According to The Press Democrat, the jury was deadlocked on a second felony conspiracy charge.
According to Northern California Public Media, Hsiung unsuccessfully represented himself at trial. He described his actions, and those of the hundreds of other activists that took part, as “akin to breaking a car window to rescue a child or pet trapped in a car on a hot day. He cited a section of California law, code 597e, as a legal justification to take birds he says were sick and dying for veterinary care,” the article said.
After the verdict, three sheriff’s deputies escorted a handcuffed Hsiung out of the courthouse in Santa Rosa, Calif. This is not the first time he has been charged.
Hsiung is the co-founder of Direct Action Everywhere (DXE). He was not granted bail and will remain in jail until his sentencing hearing that is scheduled at the end of November.
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