One reader cautioned: "(Police officers) are your public servants and nothing more or less. They are not our commanders or our dictators. If you are doing nothing wrong, they have no right to demand anything from you."
A large group of protesters showed up at the Franklin County Courthouse last week to support Pete Eyre and Adam Mueller, who were on trial in Greenfield District Court for allegedly illegally filming law enforcement officials at the Franklin County Jail last summer. Eyre and Mueller, both of New Hampshire, were acquitted of any wrongdoing by a jury, prompting heavy reaction from readers of MassLive.com and supporters of the defendants, both of whom hold strong anti-government views.MassLive.com readers continue to respond to news about a pair of New Hampshire men acquitted of any wrongdoing in connection with digitally recording an encounter with law enforcement officials at the Franklin County jail in July 2010. After a speedy, two-day trial in Greenfield District Court, Pete Eyre and Adam Mueller were found not guilty of so-called wiretapping and other charges.
The defendants -- members of a "pro-police accountability" organization and so-called voluntaryists -- drew a large group of supporters, many of whom openly shared their anti-government views during the public trial.
Here's what some MassLive.com posters are saying about the case:
dieselram writes: Officers are your public servants and nothing more or less. They are not our commanders or our dictators. If you are doing nothing wrong they have no right to demand anything from you. They are your servants and nothing more! These cops need to learn this!
mayorjoe writes: (Jail officials and police) told them to put the camera away or leave. They were told they were not wanted at the jail and that if they didn't leave they would be arrested. ... They had fair warning to leave the area and chose to stand there and argue.
kapekodder writes: This is an example of a police state. Whether I agree with these two or not they ASKED for permission to film and received a yes in reply. Their "gear" was clearly out in the open for all to see, so there was no "secretive" filming of the bail-out process.
What is your take on the issue? Chime in below and let us know what you think.