You must admit that my lawyer have been pretty good in letting me blog a few issues about my arrest in Saint John.
He asked me not to blog about today's trial so therefore I won't but as the Judge twice said - This should be very interesting!!!!
Stay tuned!!!
LeBlanc said he was blogger, policeman testifies
Last Updated: Monday, November 20, 2006 | 5:39 PM AT
CBC News
A Saint John police officer who pinned Charles LeBlanc to the ground during a protest in the summer testified Monday that the well-known blogger identified himself as an internet journalist before his arrest.
The case has drawn attention in journalism circles across the country at a time when bloggers have begun to gain some recognition as legitimate journalists. LeBlanc, who watched as police temporarily confiscated his camera and deleted a photo, is arguing that freedom of the press should extend to all journalists, not just those working for big media companies.
LeBlanc, who writes about politics and poverty on his website, was arrested at a demonstration outside a business conference at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre. He was charged with obstruction of justice.
As the trial resumed in Saint John on Monday, Sgt. John Parks told the court he arrested LeBlanc as approximately 30 to 40 protesters dressed in black, and some wearing masks, attempted to storm the convention centre.
Parks told the court he noticed LeBlanc coming at him from behind with a camera and, since he appeared scruffy and wasn't wearing business clothes like the other members of the media, assumed LeBlanc was part of the protest.
The officer said he warned LeBlanc to leave the scene or else he would be arrested. LeBlanc answered that he was with the media covering the event and was a blogger, Parks testified.
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As LeBlanc was arrested, he was knocked to the ground by Parks and Const. Tanya Lawlor. Parks testified that he then retrieved LeBlanc's digital camera and deleted a photo of himself.
Lawlor testified that she helped Parks arrest LeBlanc. She said the protester was not listening to police and resisting their efforts.
After the incident, Lawlor said she looked up LeBlanc's blog on the internet, and found pictures of herself brandishing a baton to ward off protesters, set to the song Kung Fu Fighting.
She said it made her feel humiliated and demoralized.
The trial was to continue on Tuesday.
7 comments:
Okay, I'm a law and order type of guy but can someone explain why this case has even gone to trial? I understand the confusion at the time and I even understand Charles getting arrested because of the confusion but once that was sorted out, c'mon. Charges and a trial? Give me a break.
"She said it made her feel humiliated and demoralized."
Maybe this Const. Tanya Lawlor, finally realizes how she makes people feel, on a regular basis.
People like her should not be Law Enforcement Officers.
The trial is meant to send a message: do this, and there's no looking back. It's like stores that say "ALL shoplifters will be prosecuted".
The case against Duane and Charles shows that the police, or those who dictate policy, do not want people photographing police, simple as that.
And of course it will work, violence always does. So who is going to want to go through this? WHo is even going to want to show up at a protest?
That's why I say that next year Charles should post every protest thats coming up and we should get a list of as many people as possible to show up with cameras. Even cheap disposable ones. People don't have to take part in any demonstrations, and this serves another purpose, which is to ensure protestors behave THEMSELVES.
This case is made for a countersuit, and thats what Charles lawyer should be looking at-a lawsuit against the Saint John police and the prosecutors. Since the crown attorney works for the govenrment the ban on the legislature can be thrown in as well, since no doubt they would bring it up.
Say it is true that the cop said to Charles 'leave or be arrested', the point is not whether that is true or not (which is what this case hinges on) but why in a room full of people it was Charles arrested and only one other.
That's easily grounds for a lawsuit, people have sued for far less. Talk to your lawyer charles and see if he knows any civil lawyers in the province.
I think its completely hillarious that the female office was humiliated she saw the video. I thought it was stupid at first but now I really like it. LOL
Hooray! Sue em Charles. Police constantly abuse there authority especially against the poor! Good thing there was another camera there filming You or the SJ police would have all stood up and lied in thier own defence this I have seen police do on a regular basis in court! Its called perjury and they do it well!
Yes, police and perjury go way back, and its unfortunate because not all cops are like that. I do feel sorry for that woman cop, I didn't think the video was very nice, and it wasn't her that arrested Charles, so to be fair he should have John Parks on the video.
There is a monopoly with the news or press in New Brunswick. It seems that they knew exactly who you were and wanted to make a point and get you charged with something regardless of guilt ! Police State is already here Charles,just about everything we do today can be twisted so that it somehow breaks a law somewhere in the books,getting you under their control! Peace Officers they are no longer,they serve and protect the government and its interests 1st not yours.
Want to see just how corrupt government is?
www.injusticebusters.com
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