Minutes after she left Sacramento federal court Tuesday morning, Prism Atica explained why she chose to contest two charges related to an incident she freely admits.
Atica pleaded not guilty in the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse to two Class C misdemeanor charges. The charges relate to a March incident where Atica spray-painted the outside of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Stockton and took down an American flag there, which she discussed in interviews for this story.
Shortly before entering her plea, Megan T. Hopkins was appointed Atica’s defense attorney. This helped spur Atica’s not guilty plea, she explained as she stood outside court Tuesday with supporters around her. “Megan leaned over and whispered and said, ‘You should do this,’” Atica said…