Minnesota man found in contempt in Iowa

Associated Press
November 17, 2009

DES MOINES, Iowa - An attorney says a Minnesota activist has been found in contempt of court for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury in Davenport.

Barbara Nimis represents Scott DeMuth, of Minneapolis. She says he was found in contempt Tuesday and sent to jail.

Nimis says she believes the grand jury is investigating a 2004 break-in at a lab at the University of Iowa . Four people claiming affiliation with the Animal Liberation Front were captured on video overturning equipment, pouring acid on reams of data and releasing more than 300 mice and rats.

DeMuth is a member of a Minnesota-based prisoner support group called EWOK, or Earth Warriors are OK!. The group says a second member, Carrie Feldman, of Minneapolis, was also found in contempt of court Tuesday for not testifying before the grand jury.

Feldman's attorney, Terry McAtee (MAC'-a-tee), declined to comment

Kevin VanderSchel, a U.S. attorney's office spokesman, also declined to comment.