Posted on 05/08/2006 11:35:07 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Matthew Ryan Hahn glared in disbelief at the digital photographs of a man molesting a girl. She was only a year old, maybe 2.
The next thing to do would be obvious -- call police. But Hahn had been convicted of burglary more than once. And the memory card on which he discovered the photos came from a stolen safe.
Hahn knew being nabbed for another crime could make him a three-striker and send him to prison for life. But the images were burned into his mind. One photo showed some freshly overturned earth -- could the little girl already have been killed and buried?
After a sleepless night, Hahn took the card, placed it inside a pink change purse and attached a typewritten note. It said: ``Please remove this animal from the streets.''
He wrapped the whole thing in a package that he jammed into a random mailbox. It was addressed to the Los Gatos Police Department.
A year later, Hahn, 26, is in Elmwood correctional facility. Housed in the next building over, in protective custody, is John ``Robbie'' Robertson Aitken. The 22-year-old with no previous criminal record is charged with molesting his infant goddaughter -- his boss's child.
This is the story of two young Los Gatos men, both facing life in prison, and how one's crime may have halted the other's.
``There is honor among thieves,'' said Dana Overstreet, who is prosecuting Aitken. ``In my case, Hahn is a hero.''
Opening arguments are expected to begin early this week. Hahn is expected to be one of the prosecution's main witnesses against Aitken. And then, he too will go on trial.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
ping
This guy may be a crook, but he has morals. God bless him.
Good for Mr. Hahn....even though he broke the law 3 times already.....He was right to display his conviction of turning ina predator--even at his own expense.
Hopefully, someone who is much more knowledgable about Law can answer this for me. If the police have evidence against him that was stolen, couldn't the defense claim something to the effect that the police were using illegally siezed evidence?
Some things reach to the heart of every man's conscience.
If justice is truly blind, he will be found innocent by reason of jury nullification.......
Hahn is a theif. Thieves can be rehabilitated. I think he should be given special consideration, and help, given the service to society he performed.
Aitken is an animal, and beyond our ability to help. He should be sent to his maker for repair.
This case will show up on Law and Order next season.
No, phat you are thinking of only applies if the police themselves broke in and stole it or they sent someone it to steal it.
Not in this case. Stolen or otherwise purloined items can be used as evidence against a third party providing that no police or prosecuting agent played any part in the theft. In other words, if a cop said to someone, "Boy, I sure wish we could get a warrant for his house so we could prove he killed your son," the evidence would likely be thrown out. However, since the police made no effort to solicit this gentleman, the evidence is likely admissible, plus they have a confession on top of it. Then again, all it takes is one liberal judge.
". . . beyond our ability to help. He should be sent to his maker for repair."
I am going to proudly plagerize that line one day. Awesome.
It would be hard to argue Hahn was acting as an agent for the police, even if the DA declines to press charges against him.
"I am going to proudly plagerize that line one day. Awesome."
I happily give you permission.
Agreed.
Nah, unfortunately that fishwrap still belongs to the South Bay.
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