RALEIGH — The first person to be tried after being arrested during the Moral Monday protests was found guilty on all counts.

A Wake County judge found Saladin Muhammad guilty on misdemeanor charges of trespassing, failure to disperse and violating building rules.

The defense argued that Muhammad was exercising his constitutional right to challenge policy.

“The 1st Amendment was put in the constitution to allow people to build movements. To do it peacefully that’s one thing. I don’t think anyone that was there, Rev. Barber and the NAACP, were not peaceful,” said Defense Attorney Al McSurely.

But the state claims the demonstrations disrupted business and caused officers concern.

“He had safety concerns. He had concerns over the function of the building, but one of his main concerns was for the safety of everyone in it,” said Wake County Asst. District Attorney Mary Elizabeth Wilson.

A total of 941 people were arrested for holding weekly rallies in the General Assembly during the legislative session.

Muhammad was sentenced to pay a $100 fine.

Only about two dozen people who were arrested accepted the district attorney’s offer to defer prosecution for community service.

More trials are expected to happen in the next few weeks for up to 400 people.

Defense attorneys worry this ruling will set a precedent.

– Diana Bosch