Brian Aitken's Mistake. A NJ man gets seven years for being a responsible gun owner.

Reason Magazine ^ | 11/15/2010 | Radley Balko

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Sue Aitken called the police because she was worried about her son, Brian. She now lives with the guilt of knowing that her phone call is the reason Brian spent his 27th birthday in a New Jersey prison last month. If the state gets its way, he will be there for the next seven years.

Aitken was sentenced in August after he was convicted of felony possession of a handgun. Before his arrest, Aitken, an entrepreneur and owner of a media consulting business, had no criminal record, and it appears he made a good-faith effort to comply with New Jersey's stringent gun laws. Even the jurors who convicted him seem to have been looking for a reason to acquit him. But the judge gave them little choice. Aitken's best hope now is executive clemency. He is petitioning New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for a reprieve this week.

[Vendome]

Bet his Mom’s real proud now..../s.

If she were any dumber we’d have to water her.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

People are slowly getting it thru their skulls the cops are not your friends... only call them when there is absolutely no other possible alternative. Or your insurance co. requires you to.

[thecabal]

Yet Judge Morley wouldn't allow Aitken to claim the exemption for transporting guns between residences.

Eff those spineless jurors and I hope mom's really happy that her son's in prison with a bunch of hardened thugs thanks to her.

I hope more people learn the lesson that you best handle your family business within the family (actual crimes such as assault, etc. excluded). Once you involve the government, someone's going into the meat grinder.

[TChad]

A very quick Chris Christie pardon would seem to be in order.

[TigersEye]

"It's the same thing for just about all New Jersey gun owners. You're guilty until you prove that you're innocent.”

Wow! New Jersey. It's just like Mexico only colder. /s

[TigersEye]

Burlington County Superior Court Judge James Morley

[MestaMachine]

Morley made national headlines when he threw out animal cruelty charges against suspended Moorestown Police Officer Robert Melia - who is facing much more serious charges of assaulting three young girls - because it was unclear if the sexual contact he engaged in with calves “tormented” or “puzzled” them.

“If the cow had the cognitive ability to form thought and speak, would it say, ‘Where’s the milk? I’m not getting any milk,’” he said,

[TigersEye]

It might even make some New Jersey gun owners wonder if they have more to fear from the state's ridiculous laws and overly aggressive cops and prosecutors than they do from criminals.

Sheesh! If they aren't absolutely 100% certain of that then they probably need a real nanny to tie their shoes and wipe their butts not just a nanny state. If non-gun owners think they're any safer then they need one too.

[TigersEye]

He’s obviously one sick and corrupt puppy.

[presently no screen name]

Can they have another trial since evidence was deliberately kept out? Hopefully, before Christmas the governor will pardon him; moreso, since the judge was already let go.

[TigersEye]

I don’t know but an appeal would seem in order with all the evidence denied the jury by this crackpot judge. Maybe a pardon from Christie would be better.

[deks]

Free Brian Aitken on Facebook...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Brian-Aitken/159490174062865

[x_plus_one]

The judge is responsible for this. He needs to go away.

[R. Scott]

At least the judge is off the bench now. Small consolation for Aitken.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

From the article, “...lost his job when Gov. Christie declined to reappoint him in June because of rulings in unrelated cases....”

[6SJ7]

Even the jurors who convicted him seem to have been looking for a reason to acquit him.

I guess unfortunately none of these jurors were aware of jury nullification.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

I guess unfortunately none of these jurors were aware of jury nullification.

The prosecution gets them all dropped during selection - anybody who looks intelligent.

[Twinkie]

Always remember - the cops are just MINUTES away only SECONDS before the criminals shoot you!

[FreedomPoster]

There are very few situations that can’t be made worse by the addition of a cop.