On January 8, Eric McDavid was ordered released from prison. It has been almost 9 years exactly since he was arrested in Auburn, CA, on January 13, 2006.

Eric’s release came about because of the habeas petition that he and his legal team filed in May 2012. Because the government withheld important documents from the defense at trial, Eric’s original judgment and sentencing were vacated and he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that carried a five year maximum sentence. This means Eric has already spent four years longer in prison than could have been required under the statute for the charge he pleaded guilty to. He received credit for time served and was ordered released.

McDavid has always asserted he and his two codefendants were entrapped by an overzealous FBI and its then 19 year old informant, “Anna.” “Anna literally herded the group together from around the country, paying for their transportation, food, and lodging,” said Ben Rosenfeld, one of McDavid’s attorneys. “And when they failed to show enthusiasm for her schemes, she berated them and threw fits,” Rosenfeld said. “Any conspiracy that existed was hers not theirs.”

Read More | Post-Release Fund for Recently Released Political Prisoner, Eric McDavid | Civil Liberties Defense Center | Support Eric McDavid || NY Times || Sac Bee

Indybay's Past Coverage of Eric McDavid's case: Trial Date of September 10th for Eco-Prisoner Eric McDavid || As Trial Begins, Supporters Concerned About Lack of Vegan Food for Eric McDavid || Eric McDavid is Given Commissary Again; Trial Continues || Eric McDavid Found Guilty || Eric McDavid Ends Hunger Strike— For Now || Motion for New Trial for Eric McDavid to Be Heard on January 24th || Eric McDavid Sentenced to 235 Months in Prison After FBI Entrapment || Eric McDavid Maintains Strength After Three Years in Prison || Radio Interview with Sac Prisoner Support about Eric McDavid