Thanks to the Keene Sentinel’s Casey Farrar for this report on Pete’s arrest. If you enjoy flamewars with anonymous, hate-filled trolls, be sure to check the Sentinel’s comments on the article.
A man affiliated with the libertarian Free Keene movement is being held without bail because he refused to give his name after being arrested in Keene District Court Monday, according to Keene police.
The man was arrested after he refused to take off his hat in the courtroom and argued with a bailiff who asked him to leave court, according to Keene police Lt. Darryl W. Madden.
He faces charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and is being held at the Cheshire County jail without bail until he identifies himself, Madden said.
An arraignment scheduled for this morning in Keene District Court would likely go ahead only if the man tells authorities his name, Madden said.
“They usually don’t arraign John Does,” Madden said. “It’s up to him what he decides to do today.”
A news release sent by the Free Keene group identifies the man as Pete Eyre, an activist and blogger.
Videos of Monday morning’s arrest posted on the group’s website show the man falling limply to the floor in the courtroom as Keene police prosecutor Sgt. James A. Cemorelis puts him in handcuffs.
In 2009, another activist linked to the group, Sam A. Miller, spent nearly two months in jail after refusing to tell police his name.
Miller was arrested in Keene District Court, accused of refusing to turn off a video camera in the lobby of the court.
