Author: Joe from MassPrivateI

Union Leader – by Meghan Pierce

KEENE – A former Marlow police chief was convicted of four counts out of five counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault the conclusion of his trial in Cheshire County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon.

Robert Chambers, 65, of Swanzey, stood trial this week in Cheshire Superior Court on charges accusing him of assaulting a girl between 1994 and 2000, starting when the victim was 9 years old.   Continue reading “Marlow police chief found guilty in sex assault trial”

MassPrivateI

According to an article in Texas Public Radio, law enforcement will now have access to DHS’s biometric database.

“Texas law enforcement are now getting a big assist from the federal government. Texas is the first and only state to get access to a massive Department of Homeland Security biometric database…”  
Continue reading “Police given access to DHS’s massive biometric database”

Strategic Culture – by Eric Zuesse

The New York Times, as Robert Parry has pointed out, «Cheers the Rise of Censorship», but only of censorship of any allegations that expose the fraudulence of the NYT’s allegations. The Washington Post, Google, the TV networks, and practically all of the famous providers of ‘news’, have joined forces in order to block from the internet any statements that contradict, or especially any evidence that disproves, what they collectively define to be ’true’; and, while they do this, they add a lie, that their sole aim in doing this rigging of web-search results is to prevent ‘misinformation’ from polluting your mind. They use as an excuse the existence of some flagrantly fabricated reports on obscure websites, but if the mainstream press can ban reports such as those, then they can also ban real news reports, which expose the mainstream’s own lies. In other words: they are implementing their collective power to block you from being able to know that they’re systematically lying. Will the public trust them with this power?   Continue reading “Major Media Organize to Rig Web-Search Results”

Courthouse News Service – by Joe Harris

ST. LOUIS (CN) — Missouri’s attorney general on Tuesday asked a federal judge to remove a southeast Missouri sheriff from office, four days after an inmate died in the sheriff’s jail, and a month after the sheriff was charged with robbery and assault.

Attorney General Josh Hawley said Tuesday evening that he has asked the court to remove Mississippi County Sheriff Cory Hutcheson from office. The request, made Tuesday afternoon, was prompted by the death of an inmate in the Mississippi County jail on Friday.  Continue reading “Missouri Sheriff Is in Big Trouble, and It Keeps Getting Deeper”

Tech Dirt – by Tim Cushing

In what may be an attempt to bolster now ex-FBI director James Comey’s oft-derided “Ferguson Effect” claims, the FBI has released a “study” that gathers facts feelings from law enforcement officers around the US and attempts to build a narrative somewhere between “life is unfair” and “there’s a War on Cops.” It’s not a study. It’s an opinion poll with the word “study” appended to it.

In short, the Ferguson Effect theory is this: cops are afraid to do their jobs because they’re undergoing intense scrutiny in the wake of controversial shootings. It’s bullshit, but there are plenty of law enforcement officials willing to stake their reputations on assertions that portray their officers as cowards. Faced with heightened public scrutiny, officers are apparently deciding to do less work than before, supposedly to head off any misrepresentation of their tactics.   Continue reading “FBI Releases ‘Study’ Of Law Enforcement’s Persecution Complex”

Tenth Amendment Center – by Mike Maharrey

CONCORD, N.H. (May 8, 2017) –  A New Hampshire bill that would close a federal loophole allowing state and local police to circumvent stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds will go to the Senate floor later this week facing fierce oppostion.

Rep, Michael Sylvia (R-Belmont) and Rep. John Burt (R-Goffstown) introduced House Bill 614 (HB614) on Jan. 5. The legislation would prohibit New Hampshire law enforcement agencies or prosecutors from entering into agreements to transfer seized property to a federal agency directly, indirectly, by adoption, through an intergovernmental joint taskforce or by any other means, unless the seized property includes more than $100,000 in cash.   Continue reading “New Hampshire Bill to Close Federal Asset Forfeiture Loophole Faces Intense Police Opposition”

The Newspaper

Speaking publicly in favor of red light cameras is earning favors for Texas police officers. Garland Police Lieutenant Pedro J. Barineau appeared in a political advertisement generated on behalf of the red light camera industry in full uniform.

“Any legislation that would outlaw the use of automated red light enforcement sends a dangerous message,” the officer intones. “Let’s not send that message, keep red light cameras in Texas.”   Continue reading “Texas Cops Get Overtime For Supporting Red Light Cameras”

Tech Dirt – by Tim Cushing

There’s no shortage of existing laws protecting law enforcement officers. So, of course, there’s no shortage of new legislation being introduced to further protect a well-protected subset of government employees. Using a nonexistent “War on Cops” as impetus, legislators all over the nation are submitting bills designed to make harming a cop more of a crime than harming anyone else.

This isn’t just happening at the state level. Last year, Colorado representative Ken Buck introduced a federal “Blue Lives Matter” law, which would have turned attacks on cops into “hate crimes.” The bill is a ridiculous extension of protection to officers who aren’t in any more danger than they were a decade ago, histrionic statements by various federal officials notwithstanding.   Continue reading “House Subcommittee Passes Police-Protecting ‘Thin Blue Line’ Bill”

Fox 19

TRENTON, OH (FOX19) – An Edgewood Middle School student was handed a 10-day suspension for “liking” a picture of a gun on Instagram with the caption “ready.”

The parents of Zachary Bowlin posted a picture of the intended suspension notice which read, “The reason for the intended suspension is as follows: Liking a post on social media that indicated potential school violence.”   Continue reading “Middle school student suspended for ‘liking’ photo of gun on Instagram”

Arkansas Online – by Maggie McNeary

A former Johnson County deputy pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual assault Thursday and was sentenced to six years of probation, according to court documents.

Robert G. Retford, 55, of Knoxville pleaded guilty to the Class C felony and must register as a sex offender, documents said. As part of his probation, Retford must have no contact with his victim, he must abstain from alcohol and controlled substances, and he must pay various court costs and fines.   Continue reading “Former Arkansas deputy pleads guilty to sexual assault, gets 6 years probation”

The Intercept – by Alleen Brown

A STATUTE AIMED at suppressing protests against oil and gas pipelines has been signed into law in Oklahoma, as a related bill advances through the state legislature. The two bills are part of a nationwide trend in anti-protest laws meant to significantly increase legal penalties for civil disobedience. The Oklahoma law signed this week is unique, however, in its broad targeting of groups “conspiring” with protesters accused of trespassing. It takes aim at environmental organizations Republicans have blamed for anti-pipeline protests that have become costly for local governments.   Continue reading “Oklahoma Governor Signs Anti-Protest Law Imposing Huge Fines On “Conspirator” Organizations”

The Daily Bell

Should free speech cover criticizing the government? That is kind of the whole point, right?

An Oregon man is suing Portland for violating his first amendment right to free speech after he was fined $500 for calculating how long yellow lights stay yellow and then speaking publicly about it.    Continue reading “It’s Not Free Speech if You Don’t Have a License”

ABC News

Is 18 years in prison without the possibility of parole too harsh for a man arrested with 18 grams of marijuana? The Louisiana Supreme Court’s chief justice thinks so, and she blasted her colleagues for upholding the punishment.

In a withering dissent Wednesday, Chief Justice Bernette Johnson called it “outrageous” and “ridiculous” that the state’s highest court affirmed the lengthy prison sentence for such a small amount of marijuana — enough for at least 18 marijuana cigarettes.   Continue reading “Judge blasts ‘ridiculous’ 18-year sentence for marijuana”

Courthouse News Service – by Nicholas Iovina

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – The city of Oakland cannot dodge potential liability over a couple’s claims of an attempted home invasion and assault by two off-duty police officers, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

Olga and Nemesio Cortez sued Oakland and five police officers in October 2016, claiming police tried to make them change their story to protect two drunk, off-duty officers who assaulted them, tried to break into their home, and threatened them with a real or simulated gun underneath a shirt.   Continue reading “Oakland Can’t Dodge Claims of Off-Duty Officers’ Misdeeds”