During the standoff in the summer of 1977, federal ATF agents had gotten Donald Glassey, a former MOVE associate, to implicate the organization in a bomb mak-ing and gun running scheme.

But when 10 indictments were handed down on September 1, 1977, only two actual MOVE members were named: Vincent and Alfonso Africa. It took federal agents over three years to find them. Meanwhile, Glassey was put in the federal witness protection program.

On May 13, 1981, the Feds arrested nine MOVE members in Rochester, New York. Vincent and Alfonso were extradited to Philadelphia for trial on the bomb making and weapons charges. New York state judge Andrew Celli warned Pennsylvania officials he might release the others based on their arguments that the fugitive warrants for them were illegal. Fearful of losing their quarry, Rendell's office then came up with extradition warrants signed by Governor Dick Thornburgh, and MOVE members were taken back to Philadelphia.

At legal proceedings of Sue, Carlos, Alberta, Dennis, Conrad, Raymond and Jerry Africa, the lack of validity of the original warrants was repeatedly disregarded. In Alberta's case, Judge Kendall Shoyer ordered her bound and gagged to keep her from raising the issue.

In July of 1981, Vincent Africa, also known as JOHN AFRICA, and Alfonso Africa conducted their own defense in a trial at the federal courthouse in Philadelphia. The case was called "JOHN AFRICA vs. THE SYSTEM." Unconcerned about the lies and distortions of the prosecutor's witnesses, Vincent slept through much of the case as cops, ATF agents, explosive experts and former MOVE associates testified. In an impassioned closing argument, his only formal remarks to the court, Vincent made no direct rebuttal to the government's evidence and testimony, but instead condemned the entire reformed world system and exposed the courts as mere tools of the industry that profits from poisoning the air, water and food nec-essary for all Life. The government was stunned when the jury declared Vincent and Alfonso innocent on all charges.