Replies

Response from article's author to the e-mail I sent.

Hi [PsyOp],

Thanks for sending those comments. I thought this was an interesting case and might engender some public debate. Even the prosecutor in the case described it as a landmark case.

I try to keep my own opinions out of a story and I try not to comment publicly about anything I've written. But I enjoyed reading the comments you forwarded.

I'll keep an eye on this story and report any other developments.

You can find a listing for the defense attorney, Paul Aaroe. He has offices in Easton, Pa. and Belvidere, N.J.

Take care

Tom Quigley

Thanks for posting the Quigley email. I'd emailed a few questions to him but didn't get a response. I did get a reply from Sgt. Mott's attorney, Mr. Aaroe, however:

Thanks for the interest. Juries make mistakes. I think clearly this should not have occurred. Jury did not know what punishment would be, so maybe they thought he would be getting probation. We had what I thought was a good jury, men and women, even a fish and game officer who would have known that the bb gun could not have fired the way they said it did. Rate, distance, effect, etc. Really sucks for Mott, 'cause I really believe he never even shot at them.
Just an aside. The kids made up the fact that they were hit so that Mr. Mott would be afraid to pursue their prosecution. They were actually fooled by him into thinking that he was shooting at them, and figured this would make him back off his having called the police (who said they couldn't help on mischeif night, too much going on!) He really fired a rivet gun at them (Noise only) to scare them away. Best defense = make yourself a victim and they will not pursue you!!! It worked for these kids.....big fallout for Mr. Mott, however.

I sent a reply asking about an appeal and if there is a defense fund.