‘Neo-Nazi’ Blogger’s Fate In Hands of Brooklyn Jury

A New Jersey blogger crossed the line protecting free speech by writing that three federal judges in Chicago “must die” for a decision supporting gun control, a prosecutor said Friday in Brooklyn federal court, as the defense countered in closing arguments that giving a passionate opinion is not a crime.

“There is no right to threaten violence against people,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney William Ridgway. The judges, he added, “received that threat just by virtue of doing their jobs.”

Hal Turner, 47, of North Bergen, N.J., was charged earlier this year with threatening to assault or kill a federal judge. Defense attorney Nishay Sanan sought to portray him as a “shock jock” and fierce gun control opponent whose tirades were protected by the First Amendment.

“Giving your opinion is not a crime,” he said in his closing argument. “To do it passionately is not a crime.”

The lawyer also cited evidence that his client once was a paid FBI informant in investigations of neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups.

“What does he get from his country? Betrayal,” he said.

The arguments came after only one day of testimony U.S. DistrictCourt for the Eastern District of New York, located adjacent to Cadman Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn, where the trial was moved based on a change-of-venue request. Prosecutors called three federal agents to describe Turner’s fiery web site entries; his attorneys opted not to call any witnesses.

The jury began deliberating Friday afternoon.

Turner’s troubles began in June after the three judges with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals — Richard Posner, Frank Easterbrook and William Bauer — upheld a district court ruling dismissing lawsuits challenging handgun bans in Chicago and Oak Park. The same day, Turner blasted the decision with a lengthy Internet posting. In one passage, he quoted Thomas Jefferson as saying, “The tree of liberty must be replenished from time to time with the blood of tyrants and patriots,” court papers said.

Authorities say he then went too far by writing: “Let me be the first to say this plainly: These judges must die. Their blood will replenish the tree of liberty.”

Turner later posted the judges’ photographs, telephone numbers and work addresses, along with maps of a federal building that pointed out truck bomb barriers, they say. He also referenced the 2005 slaying of the mother and husband of another federal judge in Chicago, they say.

“Apparently, the 7th U.S. Circuit didn’t get the hint after those killings,” authorities say he wrote. “It appears another lesson is needed.”

In a separate case, Turner, who prosecutors have portrayed as a radical white-supremacist, was charged with “inciting injury to persons” for urging blog readers to “take up arms” against Connecticut lawmakers who proposed legislation to give Roman Catholic lay members more control over parish finances. If convicted of threatening the Illinois judges, Turner would face up to 10 years in prison.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Council distances itself from BNP's blog

A right-wing blog has been criticised by the borough council, which has warned people not to be misled about the regeneration of Heanor town centre.

Amber Valley Borough Council has issued an official statement distancing itself from the British National Party's Amber Valley Matters blog, which it says is falsly claiming credit for regeneration in the town. Lewis Allsebrook, BNP member for Heanor West, laughed off the council's suggestion and said the authority was worried about being challenged by his party.

Writing on the blog on October 11, Cllr Allsebrook had said he was delighted to hear a new floral display would be installed on the Tesco roundabout and hoped his online 'Heanor in bloom' campaign had had something to do with it.

A spokesman for the council said: "Amber Valley Borough Council would like to make it clear that an internet blog by the local BNP group has nothing whatsoever to do with the council and has issued a warning to local residents and businesses, not to be misled by the story on the blog. The council believes the story could give the wrong impression about who is responsible for the positive developments, and says anyone interested in this project should refer to official council news sources.

"In particular the BNP, and its councillors, do not have any authority or permission from the council to seek sponsorship for council initiatives such as the improvements to the 'Tesco roundabout' in Heanor. Local businesses that are interested in supporting such initiatives should contact the council directly."

In response, Cllr Allsebrook said: "Initially when I saw the statement it did make me laugh. On the website we ran a campaign when the council was struggling to get corporate sponsors and all we were doing was claiming credit for that. It is quite clear on the blog, the operative word is 'if' our campaign helped in any way then we are delighted. We are delighted to see improvements being made to Heanor regardless. I think the council may be a little uncomfortable with the BNP doing a blog that challenges them. None of the other political parties do that."

Ripley and Heanor News

Now who lives in a house like this?

From some of our Welsh friends.

Ever wonder why the intellectual dwarf that is Green Arrow, is so extremely vile, more so than most BNP bloggers?

Well, it could be that Paul Morris, who is the “man” behind the Green Arrow blog site thought he lived in such an impenetrable community and a remote village that nobody would bother come looking for him.

Unfortunately for Morris, having broken every boundary of good taste, including suggesting that young gay people were not trying hard enough to commit suicide, we thought we’d remind Mr Morris that there ain’t no mountain high enough and ain’t no valley low enough to expose Morris, the man who begs £35 per month to write his shite blog insulting and telling lies about decent people.