The fourth in three weeks. The second in two days. Some activists claim that Keene isn’t the epicenter of liberty activism in NH, and I know there are other activists across the state doing great work, but I challenge them to show another area that has generated this much front page coverage in mainstream newsprint. Just off the top of my head, I can think of at least eight front page articles about liberty activists that have been published in the Sentinel in less than two years’ time.
Orders outside the court
Dave Ridley, a Manchester videographer with ties to the Free State Project, was at Keene District Court Friday. Ridley was arrested in the court in March because he refused to turn off his camera in the lobby.
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Battle over video forces a re-think
By PHILLIP BANTZ
Sentinel Staff
Published: Sunday, May 03, 2009
A legal fog pervades the corridors and lobbies of New Hampshire’s courts.
The rules for recording public hearings in courtrooms are relatively clear: The Supreme Court says it’s allowed unless “there is a substantial likelihood of harm to any person or other harmful consequence.”
But those foggy gray areas beyond the courtrooms remain untouched by state law.
Snapping a photo or recording video in these places is permitted in some district courts and prohibited in others, (more…)
Nearly 50 Freestaters picketed outside the Keene District Court before the trial of two Freestaters, scheduled for May 1st. Signs objecting to the drug laws drew many honks and waves from passersby. Officer Stelatto of the crime lab describe the scene as, “a madhouse out there.”
The first trial was for Mike Barskey, who organized a small event, the Keene Freedom Fest in Railroad Square last year. Barskey was dragged into court because he didn’t have a permit for the event. He describes his interaction with Keene Police Prosecutor Eli Rivera:
“As I walked into the courtroom, Rivera recognized me and told me that they dropped the charges against me. I asked why (more…)
This article is great coverage from the Keene Sentinel’s Phil Bantz:
Free Stater convicted for pot
Trial brings laughter this time, not chaos
By PHILLIP BANTZ
Sentinel Staff
Published: Friday, May 01, 2009
An 18-year-old Keene activist was convicted Friday of possessing a small amount of marijuana during a protest earlier this year.
James Andrew Carroll represented himself during his trial in Keene District Court on a Class B misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession tied to his January arrest in Railroad Square in downtown Keene.
Between 30 and 40 people with ties to the Free State Project showed up to support Carroll during the trial. Many of them protested the state’s marijuana laws, holding up homemade signs outside the courthouse, before the trial was under way. (more…)
This is the complete video of Andrew Carroll’s trial, and all the constitutional arguments he attempted to make and which were rejected time and time again. All 56 long minutes of it. A more edited video of all the days events will also be available within the next day.
This brief report is to update people on the happenings of the May 1 trials at Keene District Court.
Mike Barskey’s charges for organizing Freedom Fest were dropped prior to the trial. Andrew Carroll was found guilty for possessing marijuana, and will likely turn himself in to the jail on Monday instead of paying any fines. In addition, many activists refused to stand as Judge Burke entered, and it was not even mentioned.
Video will be forthcoming tonight and throughout the weekend.
