TURNER FILES FALSE ARREST SUIT AGAINST CONNECTICUT
Newark, NJ -- (TRN http://www.TurnerRadioNetwork.com) -- Radio Host Hal Turner has filed a federal lawsuit against the State of Connecticut and eight of its officials in connection with his June, 2009 arrest, citing "deprivation of rights under color of law." The suit, filed in United States District Court in Newark, NJ on November 21, seeks $50 Million in damages for false arrest, wrongful imprisonment, unlawful prior restraint of protected free speech, unlawful abridging of freedom of the Press and malicious prosecution.
The arrest took place after Turner wrote a post on his web site outlining how officials in Connecticut had introduced legislation to prevent Catholic Priest s and Bishops from controlling Church money. The Bill, which violated the First Amendment freedom of religion, would require Church money to be controlled by lay persons, not Clergy. He also outlined how Connecticut officials seemed to retaliate against political efforts by Catholics, who protested the Bill and had it removed from legislative consideration. That apparent retaliation was in the form of an investigation by the Office of State Ethics, which told the Church it faced fines of up to $10,000 and criminal charges for being an "unregistered lobbyist" after 4,000 Catholics protested at the state capitol in Hartford. Further apparent retaliation took place when Catholics contacted the legislative offices of officials and told them "there would be hell to pay" over what they were doing, only to see those Catholics arrested by police for "threats."
Turner called this "tyranny" and said Connecticut Catholics should "take up arms and put down this tyranny by force." He promised to release the home addresses of the public officials involved during his radio show scheduled for the next day. Before Turner could do so, Connecticut issued a fraudulent fugitive-from-justice warrant, alleging Turner had perpetrated "Harassing Communications" for which he was arrested by his local New Jersey police and held without Bail for five days. After a New Jersey judge found that Turner was not a fugitive, Connecticut changed the charges to three counts of Inciting Injury to persons or property, even though absolutely nothing took place in Connecticut as a result of Turner's writings. Turner faced thirty years in prison on those charges, but was Acquitted after a trial by jury in September, 2011, during which Turner represented himself.
In the federal lawsuit, Turner argues that Connecticut could not apply its laws to his home in New Jersey because it was outside Connecticut's jurisdiction. He also argues that Connecticut knew that nothing happened within its jurisdiction, but issued a warrant for him anyway and that the entire purpose of this effort was to prevent the lawful release of home addresses, which was a violation of his right to free speech and freedom of the press. The suit says Connecticut lacked probable cause to charge any crime and took action maliciously to please powerful government officials.
The Affidavit in Support of Complaint can be read HERE
The actual Complaint can be read HERE
PROOF OF SERVICE via Certified US Mail HERE
Media Coverage of the lawsuit can be read below: