A Message to the New Hampshire Judicial System
My name is Sam Dodson, and on April 13 I was arrested for filming on public property, the lobby of the Keene District Court. Since then I've been denied the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to due process of law, and the right to be "formally and substantially" presented with the charges against me (as required by the New Hampshire Bill of Rights).
By order of judge Burke and judge Lane of the Keene District Court, I am currently being held indefinitely without trial. To protest what I believe to be an unlawful and illegal detention, I have refused solid food since my arrest, currently over 28 days ago. Several motions and writs have been filed with the aforementioned courts. They so far have only denied, delayed, and hid behind their procedures despite the clear understanding, from the courts' own written order, that I am being held indefinitely without trial.
Comments (5)
Richard Garner
Sam is a brave fellow. He is being detained indefinitely because he refuses to give his name to the court (he is refusing to co-operate but not obstructing). The authorities could easily find out his name, and they could also try him as a "John Doe," but they are holding out. Various people have criticised Sam as behaving childishly, "why don't you back down and tell them your name, and this will all be over." Such people forget, though, that it takes two to tango, and the court could like wise back down, and so is equally liable to the charges of behaving childishly.
Published: May 15, 2009 6:36 AM
Derek
I agree w/ Anthony D. Romero, who said, "There is no such thing as 'due process light',".
I don't think the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to due process of law, and the right to be "formally and substantially" presented with the charges being made against the accused were ever intended to be "conditional" based on a defendant's "cooperation". But hey, the black robe gang just makes it up as they go anyway.
Published: May 16, 2009 1:46 AM
mikey
This put me in mind of Martin Armstrong, who spent seven years in prison on contempt charges, arising out of what some feel was a trumped up case...
At any rate this is worth a read.
http://www.morganfl.org/assets/mikesblog/A_Goldman_Sachs_Conspiracy_Paper.pdf
Published: May 16, 2009 11:47 AM
Charlie in New Hampshire
Thanks for blogging about Sam's imprisonment! None of the State's thuggish actions toward Sam make any sense nor are remotely justified. It is merely another example of the ruthless banality of evil of everyday life in America. The only difference between Sam and the other commonplace jailings of peaceful humans is that Sam is courageos, determined and is willing to stand up to them. By Sam's actions, he is exposing the truth that would otherwise be obscured.
If you would like to show support, send him a letter at Mail-to-Jail.com.
Published: May 17, 2009 1:19 PM
Dionisio
Perhaps the reason this is not getting more traction in the media, or generally for that matter, is because the claimed 'oppression', to most, would appear to be trivial.
Published: May 19, 2009 7:20 PM