By Nicole Walton
Marquette, MI – Cynthia Pryor has been found guilty of trespassing on state land leased by Kennecott Minerals Company.
The former director of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve was arrested in April for obstructing workers at the site of a planned nickel and copper mine near Big Bay. After a six-hour trial Tuesday the jury took only 15 minutes to return a guilty verdict.
The prosecution said Pryor arrogantly ignored the law and knowingly trespassed on the site. Pryor said the judge decided not to consider whether or not Kennecott needed a final permit from the EPA to proceed, which was the basis for her case.
Pryor faces up to 30 days in jail or a $250 fine. A sentencing date has not yet been set.