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Michael Roth convictions overturned(Quartzsite AZ gun and free speech case)
parkerliveonline.com ^ | 23 December, 2011 | Jackal

Posted on 12/28/2011 9:26:38 PM PST by marktwain

Quartzsite resident and activist Michael Roth, who was convicted in 2010 of two counts of disorderly conduct, has had his convictions overturned in appeals.

The convictions stemmed from an incident at Quartzsite Town Hall while the Council was in executive session in another room. Roth addressed the crowd with his complaints about the Council and Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. An officer who was present testified that Roth became offensive in his remarks, and Gilbert arrested him.

The appellate court found that there was insufficient evidence of disorderly conduct, finding that “the state failed to present any evidence that Roth’s conduct seriously disrupted any event, function or activity.” It continues to say that Roth’s remarks “…prompted only laughter and criticism from the audience — with the exception of one incident of angry finger-pointing.” And: “…although Roth’s remarks to the audience immediately before he was arrested may have been antagonistic and annoying, he spoke in a normal voice and stopped speaking to listen as members of the audience responded.”

The court also stated: “The finger-pointing incident that Gilbert identified as crossing the line and provoking Roth’s arrest, to any extent that Roth can be charged with it, hardly rose to the level of probable violence.”

The ruling can be found HERE.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: arizona; az; constitution; freespeech; quartzsite
Nice to see an appellate court rule for free speech.
1 posted on 12/28/2011 9:26:47 PM PST by marktwain
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To: marktwain
A man was arested and convicted of angry finger-pointing.

"Point a finger, go to jail!"

2 posted on 12/28/2011 9:51:00 PM PST by Daaave ( "I hear the train a comin It's rolling round the bend")
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

The court appears to have either sided with the Constitution, or, figured out that ‘when ya got the name, ya may as well play the game’. If gov’t wankers stop accepting criticism, they may as well put their affairs in order. Thanks marktwain.


3 posted on 12/28/2011 10:00:00 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! May 2013 be even Happier!)
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To: SunkenCiv

OH the humanity (think Hindenburg disaster took place on Thursday, May 6, 1937,) I say; there should be “Angry Finger Pointing” 10 Day Waiting RULE & Registration of such dangerous items, so as not to allow people to be hurt by such actions, and in the government run re-education camps, the Sheeple should be taught the danger’s of such action’s, obviously we need Federal Protections, and, and, and, O.K. Sarcasm ends here, but it was fun. What else to do @ 1:30 a.m.


4 posted on 12/29/2011 1:44:00 AM PST by Stanwood_Dave ("Testilying." Cop's don't lie, they just Testily{ing} as taught in their respected Police Academy.)
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To: Daaave; marktwain; SunkenCiv
A man was arested and convicted of angry finger-pointing.

"Point a finger, go to jail!"

Indeed. It's time to start laughing at the risible left when they become this petty and overbearing. A bogus arrest leads to charges being dismissed, as they should be.

5 posted on 12/29/2011 9:33:59 AM PST by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list)
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