The protesters were arrested in November 2015 on disorderly conduct charges after blocking access on Route 9A to Spectra Energy's construction yard during a protest against Spectra's AIM pipeline, The Examiner News said.
McCarthy promised to render a decision in the mail after closing arguments from the defense and prosecution, The Examiner News reported.
Attorney Martin Stolar argued that the "Montrose 9" protested out of necessity after other legal and regulatory options had not worked, said The Examiner News.
The prosecution argued that there were no First Amendment violations regarding the "Montrose 9" because police had advised the protesters they could continue if they moved down the sidewalk and allowed the Spectra vehicles to enter, The Examiner News reported.
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