“Judge” Edwin Kelly Refuses to Comment on His Order Banning Media from Court in Keene

As was reported earlier, video and audio devices have been banned from Keene superior and district courts unless media members beg for an exemption. Edwin Kelly, the head judge of the circuit courts, has now officially refused to comment on his order. I called the circuit court administration office at 603-271-6418 last week and left a message for his assistant, Linda J. Cammett, and then again this week I left another message. I never received a return call. Today I called again and Linda picked up the phone. That’s when she told me that Kelly will not comment on this matter. She referred me to the supreme court’s public spokesperson Laura Kiernan. Laura did talk to me about the issue. She explained that NH is SO open in comparison to the other states. I should be grateful for the opportunity to grovel in front of a robed man to get permission to have a camera in his court. It’s entirely OK for them to prohibit audio and video devices from the lobby and the rest of the premises, because it’s somehow “disruptive”. Laura can be reached at 603-271-2646.

Interestingly, the location of the administrative office of the circuit courts is a secret. They apparently don’t want the public to come to the office that they pay for with their tax dollars. All they give out publicly is a P.O. box and this number: 603-274-6418. Does anyone know where this office is physically located?

Free Keene TV Episode 1

The first episode of Free Keene TV is live and the show is just getting started. Airing Mondays at 7:00pm EST on Cheshire TV, currently channel 8 in the Keene-area and also on the Cheshire TV Ustream Channel on the internet. Covering the recent incident between Ademo and Judge Burke, a property tax resister in Bondsville, Massachusetts and the start to a community voices segment featuring Mike Clark of Keene. Feel free to check out the video here:

I started this project in mid-March, 2011 and it has taken a lot of effort to get the show to this point. The all volunteer crew and cast has come together for many practice sessions as each individual learns the particular role they are in. Many of the people involved, including myself, have never done such a thing as create and run an independent TV news show. Cheshire TV and its staff has been a great help in getting the show up to speed.

As the show progresses I hope to see more and more interaction with the community at large and a broader focus. At the moment there are a great deal of stories that feature activism due to recent events and interactions. While activist footage and events make for great news, I don’t want to focus solely on that.

There is a great deal more that I’d like to see done with the show and we will keep increasing the level of quality, expanding the coverage and investigating more topics with each episode. If you would like to be involved or if you have some news tips or comments, please feel free to email me at tv@freekeene.com.

The Boston Globe Reports on Self-Immolation of Thomas Ball

Self-immolationThe Boston Globe’s Mark Arsenault reports on the self-immolation of Thomas James Ball:

KEENE, N.H. – On a mid-June afternoon, an unemployed history buff from Holden, Mass. announced cryptically on his Facebook page that “D-Day’’ had arrived.

“Time to climb down into the Higgins boat and take a bouncing ride to the beach,’’ wrote Thomas Ball, referring to the World War II amphibious landing craft.

Four hours later, the divorced father of three died outside a courthouse in downtown Keene after igniting himself in a gory self-immolation.

Engulfed in flame, he screamed as he stumbled from the courthouse steps, fell to his hands and knees, and eventually fell silent. (more…)

Pete and Ademo Face Six Years in Prison for Recording Bureaucrats in MA – Trial on Monday

Liberty on Tour‘s Pete and Ademo are going to court in Greenfield, MA on Monday, 7/18 for a trial at 8am. Here’s the facebook event. They are being accused of “wiretapping”, a felony charge, and face six years in prison. Why? Because they recorded some bureaucrats at the Greenfield jail. Here’s footage from the incident:

Please come out to support Pete and Ademo on Monday at Greenfield District Court!

UPDATE: According to Ademo, the court has banned distribution of fliers to potential jurors. He has requested that attendees not violate this ban, as he does not want the robed man to delay the trial further. The prosecutor also unsuccessfully attempted to have the robed man ban t-shirts with messages on them, which the robed man declined to do. So, wear your shirts, bring signs, and join the protest at the court just before 8am on Monday!