Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Conventions/story?id=5668622&page=1" target="_blank">http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/...2&page=1</a> >>Police in Denver arrested an ABC News producer today as he and a camera crew were attempting to take pictures on a public sidewalk of Democratic Senators and VIP donors leaving a private meeting at the Brown's Palace Hotel. Police on the scene refused to tell ABC lawyers the charges against the producer, Asa Eslocker, who works with the ABC News investigative unit. A police official later told lawyers for ABC News that Eslocker is being charged with trespass, interference, and failure to follow a lawful order. He also said the arrest followed a signed complaint from the Brown Palace Hotel. Eslocker was put in handcuffs and loaded in the back of a police van which headed for a nearby police station. Video taken at the scene shows a hotel security guard, wearing the uniform of a Boulder County sheriff, ordering Eslocker off the sidewalk in front of the hotel, to the side of the entrance. The sheriff's officer is seen telling Eslocker the sidewalk is owned by the hotel. Later he is seen pushing Eslocker off the sidewalk into oncoming traffic, forcing him to the other side of the street. About 15 minutes later, on-duty Denver police arrived and placed Eslocker under arrest after Eslocker asked why he was being ordered away from the front of the hotel. Dozens of pedestrians can be seen walking by the hotel, located in the heart of downtown Denver. Eslocker and his ABC News colleagues are spending the week investigating the role of corporate lobbyists and wealthy donors at the convention for a series of Money Trail reports on ABC World News with Charles Gibson. <<
Originally Posted By SuperDry There seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether the sidewalk is public property or more specifically, whether a public right-of-way exists. This would be based on whatever Colorado law was applicable along with any special circumstances involving the hotel, none of which is addressed by the article.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Dozens of people were arrested during the GOP convention here in NY four years ago; a good number of them for no good reason, and the NYPD was forced to apologize.
Originally Posted By Mr X Apologies are meaningless if you ask me. Heads should role for that sort of thing. In a free country, anyway. Interestingly, America and Europe is pissing and moaning about China detaining their citizens for protesting. Er...hmm. Wow. Just makes ya wonder.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Conventions/story?id=5668622&page=1" target="_blank">http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/...2&page=1</a> >>During the arrest, one of the officers can be heard saying to Eslocker, "You're lucky I didn't knock the f..k out of you." Eslocker was released late today after posting $500 bond. <<
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<During the arrest, one of the officers can be heard saying to Eslocker, "You're lucky I didn't knock the f..k out of you." >> Bullies with badges. Wanna bet this cop just gets his wrist slapped?
Originally Posted By fkurucz Here is an interesting cop story I have: A few years ago my kids and I attended a martial arts school here in town. My oldest would also babysit for the martial arts school owners. So anyway, one of the teen blackbelts has a harsh exchange of words with the Sensei and takes a shot at him. The Sensei blocks the strike and using a little Judo he subdues the kid (he does not strike him). This happens in front of witnesses. The Sensei ejects the kid from the dojo and tells him to never come back. The sensei then leaves to run some errands. In the meantime, the kids runs to his daddy, a sargeant in the local PD (this is a small town of 50K), and an hour later about 8 cops show up, guns drawn, to arrest the Sensei. Then they go to his house, where my daughter is baby sitting, again guns drawn. This infuriated me. What if something unexpeced had happened and my daughter had ended up injured? Later on the Sensei finds out what has been happening and turns himself in. After the detectives interview the witnesses all charges are dropped. Somehow I really doubt that the police would have reacted like this had the young man not been "one of their own".
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Yes, this seems to be a tale of over-zealous cops (as was the case in NY), rather than any sort of conspiracy.
