May 8, 200917 yr http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRel ... RN20090506 Exercising Right to Remain Silent Lands Video Journalist in Jail Indefinitely Wed May 6, 2009 5:00am EDT KEENE, N.H.-- Video journalists in Iran aren't the only ones at risk for due process violations. That's what journalist Sam Dodson learned when he was arrested April 13 at Keene District Court for allegedly refusing to turn off a video camera in the lobby according to an April 14 Keene Sentinel article. Dodson is being held indefinitely on $10,000 cash bail at Cheshire County Correctional Facility because he refuses to disclose his legal name to authorities per orders issued by Cheshire County District Court Judge Edward Burke on April 14 and 29 under docket number 09-CR-01825-1828. "The first order states $10,000 cash bail and only when he reveals his name. In the latest order they have discovered his legal name, but again they say until he tells it to them, and tells them his address, he's staying in jail. In both orders they refuse to schedule any more dates, including trial, in this matter. They will not see him for arraignment, they will not see him for preliminary hearings, and they will not see him for trial until he gives them his name and address," said Dodson's attorney Sharon Walker. "The state has not even told me what they are charging me with at this point for over two weeks which Article 15 of the New Hampshire Bill of Rights clearly says that they are not to hold anyone until the charges are substantially and formally given to them," Dodson said from a jail pay phone May 1 when he called in to WKBK-AM's The Dan Mitchell Morning show. Private discussions with his attorney were denied said Dodson. "They have not allowed her to visit or discuss my case unless its being recorded on the phone where they can hear everything." "They were giving me motions where I couldn't respond to them because I didn't have pens or papers," said Dodson during an April 29th interview on talk radio show Free Talk Live. Conditions in the jail are unsanitary said Dodson. "The toilet that has been stopped up for over 3 weeks now overflowed again and toilet paper, urine, feces starts flowing out onto the floor and it was also a hot day. " Dodson is on a hunger strike and has lost 20 pounds. "I'm going to eat when I'm free," he said on WKBK-AM. Cheshire County Superior Court rejected Walker's writ of habeas corpus for Dodson but she refiled the writ with the New Hampshire Supreme Court on April 29. Grassroots support for Dodson made him the top choice of internet TV show "Freedom Watch on Fox" viewers in a recent poll, ahead of celebrities such as entertainer Penn Jillette and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson. More than 40 friends attended a candlelight vigil for Dodson in Keene April 19. Some have also demonstrated in front of the jail where he is being held. Letters from Dodson while he is in jail are being published at freekeene.com. Video of Judge Burke charging a man with contempt of court for taking 6 seconds to sit down in November 2008 was viewed more than 100,000 times on YouTube. "It is not supposed to work to where somebody in America is thrown in a jail cell and left there to rot until they cooperate and give up their rights in order to get whatever rights the government wants to hand out," Dodson said April 29 on Free Talk Live.
May 8, 200917 yr Soooo....he's doing this...why? Listen to the mighty words of Bloodredsword. Tip it MGC Xbox live leader board!
May 8, 200917 yr Uh ... It says he's being held because he won't give his name ... And then he says he doesn't know why he's being held. I'm confused. New Hampshire's crazy. catch it now so you can like it before it went so mainstream
May 8, 200917 yr Author Soooo....he's doing this...why? Are you refering to Judge Edward Burke denying Sam a writ of habeas corpus or are you refering to Sam Dodson's reasons for a hunger strike protesting an indefinite jailing for video recording in a court lobby?
May 8, 200917 yr The fact the writ of habeus corpeus being denied is quite pathetic. The Supreme Court might overturn this I'd imagine, they won't even tell him what he/she is charged with. I was going to eat hot dogs for dinner tonight. I think I will settle for cereal. OPEN WIDE HERE COMES THE HELICOPTER.
May 8, 200917 yr Author Uh ... It says he's being held because he won't give his name ... And then he says he doesn't know why he's being held. I'm confused. New Hampshire's crazy. He is protesting his unjust detainment resulting from an arrest that denied him freedom of the press. There is no law requiring you give your name. They have his fingerprints & have already identified him. What they are doing is denying him release or even arranging a trial for him as he refuses to bow to a jailkeeper who is unjustly detaining him.
May 8, 200917 yr He is protesting his unjust detainment resulting from an arrest that denied him freedom of the press. There is no law requiring you give your name. They have his fingerprints & have already identified him. What they are doing is denying him release or even arranging a trial for him as he refuses to bow to a jailkeeper who is unjustly detaining him. Ah. Then that is not good at all. This Judge Burke guy sounds like a real [wagon] who just abuses the power he has. Crazy New Hampshire. catch it now so you can like it before it went so mainstream
May 8, 200917 yr I'm gonna go help him breakout : 99 Hunter - November 1st, 200899 Cooking -July 22nd, 200999 Firemaking - July 29th, 201099 Fletching - December 30th, 2010
May 8, 200917 yr Author Cheshire County Department of Corrections 160 River Rd, Westmoreland, NH 03467-4426
May 8, 200917 yr ACLU in 3... 2... 1... What the hell is ACLU? IRC Nick: Hiroki | 99 Agility | Max Quest Points | 138 CombatBandos drops: 20 Hilt | 22 Chestplate | 21 Tassets | 14 Boots
May 8, 200917 yr ACLU in 3... 2... 1... What the hell is ACLU? American Civil Liberties Union. Google is your friend.
May 8, 200917 yr ACLU in 3... 2... 1... What the hell is ACLU? American Civil Liberties Union. Google is your friend. They're gonna have a field day with this. I was going to eat hot dogs for dinner tonight. I think I will settle for cereal. OPEN WIDE HERE COMES THE HELICOPTER.
May 8, 200917 yr America, land of the free*... That's strange, I'm not aware that there is a law requiring you to identify yourself to the authorities in America. He's been identified already, so why his is actually there? :? *Subject to terms and conditions. ~ W ~
May 8, 200917 yr Uh ... It says he's being held because he won't give his name ... And then he says he doesn't know why he's being held. I'm confused. New Hampshire's crazy. I know someone already posted why he's in but I thought I'd post this anyway. Everyone has the right to silence and the police can't do a damn thing about it if you choose to use it. I think the [cabbage] will hit the fan soon, because I don't know about USA, but the only way Canada can hold people is through the Terrorist cards and act thing which name I can't remember.
May 9, 200917 yr This sounds like one rogue judge - in the US there is no law requiring people to identify themselves to the police, or indeed talk at all, and legally people can only be held for 24 hours before they must be released or have charges filed against them (and be informed of the charges). As said above, the ACLU will have a fun time with this.
Create an account or sign in to comment