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the Legion of Doom to steal the E911 file by breaking into BellSouth computers. The prosecution asserted that the E911 file was ‘a highly proprietary and sensitive document’ valued at $79,449.

Four days later the case collapsed.

The defence demonstrated that the same E911 information was available from local bookstores and in libraries. Further, by dialling a free 1-800 number, two publications could be obtained from Bellcore with even more detailed information than the purloined file. All for only $34. Neidorf’s lawyers argued further that the file, far from being the serious and imminent threat represented by Bellcore, had been published in PHRACK nearly twelve months before the telephone company bothered to do anything about it. Neidorf was cleared of all charges. But though he was helped by the Foundation, he was still left with some $100,000 in legal costs.

The E911 file, though, was to come up again.

On 16 November the Atlanta Three pleaded guilty to a number of charges variously described as ‘computer fraud, wire fraud, access code fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen property’ – the latter referring to the E911 document. Adam Grant (The Urvile) had pleaded guilty to separate counts of possession of access codes and intent to defraud.

Because the three agreed to guilty pleas, no defence could be mounted. In the sentencing memorandum, the prosecution said that Robert Riggs (The Prophet) had stolen the E911 file ‘containing the program for the emergency 911 dialling system’, adding ‘any damage to that very sensitive system could result in a dangerous breakdown in police, fire and ambulance services’. The file’s value, the prosecution added, was $24,639.05 – the 5 cents presumably to indicate that the figure had been very accurately costed. The memo also stated that the three gained free telephone service and access to BellSouth computers.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation was enraged. The claims about the E911 file were ‘clearly false. Defence witnesses . . . were prepared to testify that the E911 document was not a [computer] program, that it could not be used to disrupt 911 service, and the same information could be ordered from BellSouth at a cost of less than $20.’ The Foundation also noted that the prosecution had begun its

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