X-Files' Case Lands in Va.

By Patricia Davis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 22, 2000; Page V01 

Larry W. Bryant has a court case that could have ramifications way beyond Alexandria--way, way beyond.

Bryant believes that people who claim they were abducted by extraterrestrials should have their day in court. In an effort to force a hearing on the issue, the city resident and two other Virginians have filed a lawsuit against Gov. James S. Gilmore III in Alexandria.

In the lawsuit, the trio argues that the governor has ignored an important public safety issue and has a legal obligation "to identify, assess, and repel this clandestine invasion within Virginia."

"Yet, in direct dereliction of duty," the lawsuit filed in Alexandria Circuit Court charges, "he refuses even to acknowledge the existence of the 'invasion.' "

A spokesman for the Virginia Attorney General's Office would not comment on the allegations. But David Botkins said the lawsuit will receive the attention it deserves. "We have turned this case over to our 'X-Files' department," he said.

Bryant said he has been unable to find a lawyer willing to take the case, but he is prepared to argue it himself. The retired Army civilian said he has been involved in "the politics of UFO research" for more than 40 years and directs, from his Alexandria home, the Washington office of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy, a public interest organization with about 10,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide.

"It deserves a fair hearing," said Bryant, 62. "I believe that the UFO subject has serious merit and that witnesses are telling the truth as they see it."

The lawsuit, which was filed June 5, is filled with talk of mysterious "flying triangles" and the abduction of citizens from their neighborhoods, homes and cars. Bryant, along with Gretchen Condon, of Hampton, and Evelyn J. Goodwin, of Newport News, believes that citizens deserve to know what the government knows and that the issue deserves more investigation.

Among other things, they want the court to order Gilmore to:

* Convene a special state grand jury, under the Alexandria court's jurisdiction, to investigate the scope, impact, perpetrators and methodology of "this clandestine invasion."

* Appoint a state police task force to analyze and publish all available intelligence on the subject.

* Direct the Virginia National Guard to establish and operate a quick-reaction force to repel "these non-human/humanoid/alien entities yet to be apprehended and brought to justice."

* Afford to invasion victims the same victims-rights counseling, comfort and protective measures as any other victim of criminal activity.

If they get their hearing, Bryant said, he will introduce exhibits to document the current invasion. How the court rules could have, well, far-reaching implications.

"Whatever the court decides in this case may affect how all Earth governments [and society] treat the UFO problem from here on out," Bryant said.

Or not.

© 2000 The Washington Post Company 

There is not sufficient evidence to show that anyone has ever been abducted, let alone that there is some kind of invasion going on.  This should continue to get dismissed and rejected by cooler heads.