Day Two of Bob Constantine’s Trial for Growing Cannabis

by | Apr 12, 2011 | 0 comments

Bob ConstantinePete Eyre from Liberty on Tour reports from the second day of the jury trial of Bob Constantine, an NH native accused of growing some cannabis plants and facing up to seven years in prison for it:

NORTH HAVERHILL, NH – Around 7am this morning I jumped into one of two cars leaving Keene for day two of Bob Constantine’s trial (see this post for a rough write-up of what went down yesterday). Two hours later I sat in a courtroom with 14 others supporting Bob from all over the ‘shire and at least one from nearby Vermont. Also present were 10 paid via theft. Worth noting – the order banning cell phones and cameras had been rescinded since those with badges had testified the day prior.

Before the jury was led into the room the man in the black robe inquired of Bob and Melissa Pierce, the “district attorney,” if they had any objections to the jury instructions he planned to communicate after closing statements, including the details of the felony manufacturing marijuana charge that threatened Bob with seven years in a cage. Neither party did, though Bob asked about the status of a motion he had submitted the day prior – to also inform the jury of a less serious possession charge, which the man in the robe agreed to include later that afternoon. (I think Bob wanted to give the jury another option that wouldn’t result in as serious a penalty for himself.)

Since Pierce had rested her case it was Bob’s turn to call his witnesses. (more…)

Evan Pierce, the Government’s Latest Victim in Their War on Hats

by | Apr 12, 2011 | 4 comments

Evan PierceJason Talley, managing director of the Civil Disobedience Evolution Fund, reports on another arrest in the government’s war on hats – this time the heroic Evan Pierce, a.k.a. the Emperor of Free Grafton:

I’m told that Evan Pierce will be heading to Cheshire County soon, if not now. He was caged for criminal “contempt of court” today in Grafton Superior Court by Judge Bornstein during the trial of the State vs Robert Constantine. Evan was wearing a paper hat after the judge told Ademo Freeman to take his knit cap off. When Bornstein said something like “you with the hat, come up here” Ademo remained seated while Evan stood before the judge. Evan had earlier created the paper hat as an act of solidarity with Ademo who was exercising his right to keep clothes on his body.

The next time we saw him was after Bob Constantine’s trial concluded for the day at approx 3:30PM. Employees of Grafton County decided to accessorize Evan’s look with shiny silver chains around his feet and arms that connect, slowing Evan’s roll. Always looking on the bring side, Evan noticed that with a live microphone he’d be able to share some of Weeda Claus’s Chronic Christmas Carols leading a courtroom full of Shire Activists in “Hands off Weeda Claus.” (more…)