Full Video of James Cleaveland Trial for Recording Police

by | Dec 31, 2014 | 58 comments

James “Robin Hood” Cleaveland, local businessman, activist, and independent journalist refused the plea deal and took to trial two misdemeanor “class a” charges of “disorderly conduct” and “resisting arrest” for recording video of the police. Here’s the full, nearly four hour trial video.

During the lengthy trial, the state called several police witnesses to testify that in order to keep James safe from a gunman who was threatening to take his own life, that they needed to arrest James and put him in a cage for two years. Of course, the police really wanted to keep themselves safe from James’ camera and were willing to crush the supposed freedom of the press to do so.

Stay tuned here to Free Keene for the verdict when it’s available.

No Charges For NH Police Chief Who Threatened Teenage Girl

by | Dec 29, 2014 | 4 comments

David Seastrand

David Seastrand, Former NH Police Chief

Though New London’s now-resigned police chief David Seastrand is no longer able to be a police officer and the town gave the victim $70,000, Seastrand will not face criminal charges for his threats and intimidation of a teenage girl.

After arresting Janelle Westfall, 18, for underage possession of alcohol, Seastrand allegedly told her she could avoid charges if she went into the police station basement with him and did a nude photo shoot.

Of course, none of the money being given to Ms. Westfall is coming from Seastrand – it’s the taxpayers who are on the hook for his actions. He is protected from responsibility by the system. Prosecutors will not prosecute him. You can bet that if any gun-toting non-cop threatened a young lady and demanded nude photos that person would be fully prosecuted. It’s good to be in the government gang!

The big question is – how many times has Seastrand pulled this move and gotten away with it prior to this incident?  I doubt it was his first time using his power to intimidate girls into taking off their clothes.

Oh, and he also gets to keep his pension – what a deal!

Berlin NH requests a BEARCAT

by | Dec 27, 2014 | 9 comments

I recently found out that the Berlin Police Department has submitted a grant application for a Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck (BEARCAT). You may recall the Keene Police requested and received a similar armored vehicle after citing Pumpkin Fest and the Clarence Del Mar marathon as reasons for the needing a vehicle to be used to fight terrorism. And more recently, the Concord PD claiming “Sovereign Citizens, Free Staters and Occupy New Hampshire are active and present daily challenges,” in addition to organized groups, it cited “several homegrown clusters that are anti-government and pose problems for law enforcement agencies.” When asked to provide documentation of the “daily challenges” presented, the Concord City Clerk responded that there were no such documents.

In North Country, the Berlin PD’s application, which is full of spelling errors, cites 1) proximity to Canada; 2) terrorists coming in from Canada; 3) Carl Drega; and 4) Nathaniel Kibby as reasons for needing the vehicle. (more…)

SHOCK! Judge Burke Upholds KPD Decision: “Unsuitable” to Concealed Carry

by | Dec 20, 2014 | 43 comments

burkeLocal government bureaucrats in Keene are infringing on my right to bear arms.

In July I applied for a concealed carry license. One man, Ken Meola, denied it. I appealed, and this week the news came back: Judge Burke denied my appeal.

Judge Burke’s decision means that while it is perfectly legal for me to carry a firearm openly, it is a crime for me to conceal that firearm, for example by putting on a winter jacket.

The next step is to move on to the State Supreme Court. I haven’t decided whether or not I’m going to do that, but I’ll give another update when I speak with my attorney.

I’m disappointed about this decision, but I’m not surprised. The State is a many-tentacled beast, and the different facets of it protect each other. First the legislators did their part by camouflaging a restriction as a right: they call NH “shall issue” but ultimately leave the power of permission to one man working for the police. Then the police did their part to deny my rights, essentially arguing that they are restricting my freedoms because I don’t respect them. Finally, appeals are made to lawyers who also work for the State.

For those who missed it, here is a link to video of the full hearing.

Read Burke’s decision here. (PDF)

Read the Google Doc Version

Derrick J in Court on Gun Rights Appeal, Accused of Being “Unsuitable” to Conceal

by | Nov 27, 2014 | 0 comments

kilham

KPD Prosecutor Jean Kilham

In district court yesterday morning, Keene Police prosecutor Jean Kilham seemed to be suggesting that because Derrick J was laughing during proceedings that he doesn’t deserve the right to concealed carry a gun.  Derrick was clearly laughing at the absurdity of the violence brought against him during his Victimless Crime Spree, which was detailed in witness testimony today.

Derrick J’s attorney, Free State Project participant and former FSP vice president Evan Nappen, is known among defense attorneys in New Hampshire as the go-to guy for gun rights cases.  Nappen did a fine job today and Derrick seemed very pleased with how he argued the case.

The Keene police argued that Derrick J is “unsuitable” to conceal carry, the big loophole word in the state’s “shall-issue” statute.  While simultaneously admitting that it’s fully legal for Derrick J to carry a gun openly, they claim that due to a record of victimless “crimes”, alleged cannabis use, and suggested affiliations with violent groups, that Derrick J should be prohibited from concealing.

Derrick J took the stand and told the story of his Victimless Crime Spree.  It was made clear that he is an activist dedicated to peace.  In fact, Derrick is the host of Peace News Now, heard twice a week on LRN.FM. Here’s full video of today’s “Hearing on the Merits”:

Burke ends the hearing and retires for the holiday weekend with a DVD of Derrick J’s Victimless Crime Spree as part of the evidence in the case.  Perhaps he will sit down with the family this holiday weekend and watch the movie that he helped make possible. (more…)