NH Bar Association Article on Jury Nullification

by | Mar 29, 2013 | 2 comments

As you may know, NH is the only state with a law affirming the right of a jury to nullify bad laws (thanks to Free State Project liberty legislators). Now the NH Bar Association’s Mark Sisti and Jared Bedrick weigh in with an opinion piece about the issue:

This past September, Judge James D. O’Neill, III of the Belknap County Superior Court instructed jurors that they could find the defendant not guilty, despite proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, if they had “a conscientious feeling that a not-guilty verdict would be a fair result in [the] case.”

In that case, Barnstead resident and Rastafari practitioner Doug Darrell had taken the stand and admitted to each and every element of an indictment alleging that he knowingly manufactured marijuana at his home. The judge was essentially allowing the jury to base its decision on something other than law or logic – its concept of justice. This is known as “jury nullification,” and it’s the subject of a recent law and heated debate. (more…)

Live Free or Die – Unless You Want Uplighting for Your Property

by | Mar 28, 2013 | 1 comment

nouplightingHere’s the story from the Sentinel’s Kyle Jarvis where Kohl’s would like to open a store in the old Sears building – creating jobs for Keene inhabitants. Meanwhile, the city screws up some of its own bureaucratic process and has to delay its own hearing where Kohl’s is to beg for a waiver. The Sentinel reports that city code prohibits uplighting. Gosh, we wouldn’t want you to be able to use lights to design things to make your business more attractive! And don’t you DARE paint your building anything bright and fun – this is New England – everything here must be drab, dull, and made of brick!

This is one among many provisions called “zoning” or “regulations” where a group of people calling themselves government – or “the Keene planning board” deem to tell you what you can and can’t do with something you paid for – or else they will send men with guns after you. I’d like to be able to say, “No thanks” as I’d rather not use their planning services. Yet I am the “radical” for wanting peace. Kohl’s should be able to open their store without having to ask permission – and so should you.

The Sentinel piece’s text follows: (more…)

End the Fed Rally

by | Mar 27, 2013 | 2 comments

On March 27, there was an “End the Fed Rally” at NH Institute of Politics on the campus of St. Anselm College just outside of Manchester, NH.
Dave Ridley from RidleyReport.com, Ian Freeman from Free Talk Live & Darryl W. Perry from Free Press Publications were able to ask questions of Eric Rosengren the President of the Boston Federal Reserve and Jim Roche the head of the Business and Industry Association.
One man even said that we should “move to Korea.”