Justice and Injustice: Name Withheld

In the story on the right, The Frame, the Fix, and a Fair Trial, Taos Friction goes into some detail, explaining how a reasonable person would assume, and lawyers have confirmed, that the fourth amendment prohibitions against unreasonable search and seizure have been abrogated by veteran officers of the Taos Police Department. The 8th Judicial District Attorney’s office and District Judge Jeff McElroy tacitly and actively approved of the unorthodox and allegedly illegal procedure. Good bye civil rights and the right to a fair trial.

Now comes an ongoing battle between the Town of Taos and protester Jeff Northrup. The town police take reports but generally refuse to investigate what amounts to grand theft—despite possessing, allegedly, knowledge of the miscreant. One can say that Chief Kenneth Koch has bowed to political pressure and violated his oath of office since every police man and police woman swears to uphold the constitution.

If justice can be summarized as an agreement that binds individuals and society in a pact of “mutual advantage,” which aims at harmony in the community, then something is awry. When the guardians of public safety selectively prosecute crime, a common practice in the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s office, and now a common practice on the streets of Taos, lawlessness and a police state mentality result: “the law is what I say it is.”

The guardians of the judicial system are supposed to uphold the principles–customs and the laws–upon which civil society rests. If they do not then they have undermined civility and respect for themselves in the community. Apparently, nobody in a leadership position has the courage to speak up and say “enough”–though Judge John Paternoster alluded to Northrup’s importance as a community conscience at the protester’s sentencing.

In Taos today, I am under the impression, perhaps a false one, that the lawbreakers have moved from the street into positions of authority, both elected and appointed. I hope “they” prove me wrong.

Letter to Chief Koch

Chief;

I had seven signs and step stools (not the eight that I first thought) stolen from my usual picketing spot on PDPS (Paseo des Pueblo Sur) today after 5:00. Officer Jani Davis actually saw the signs being picked up, but did not realize that they were being stolen, apparently believing they were being picked up by me. She will follow a lead she has on the car she saw, although Officer Barnes will write the report, #F13000115.

Six signs were stolen on June 3, and Weaver wrote the report, F13000019. On or about June 5, I gave my written statement to your office, including the name and phone number of an eye witness to that theft. I’ve not heard back, though the witness clearly points to (name withheld). Likewise today, I would suspect (name withheld).

I believe the town is being very fast and loose with my constitutional rights. You are not only not solving the crimes, you are allowing them– dare I say encouraging them (editor’s bold). This man is a one-man crime spree. You know it, I know it, and even the sleazy Brian James knows it.

Who will stop this man? (Name withheld) tried to run me over with his truck on March 3 when I was stopping him in the middle of a sign robbery. I was advised at that time by you and your officers that it was a very foolish thing for me to do– I should always just call the police and let them handle the apprehension. I see how well that works!

Jeff Northrup