View Full Version : First Amendment rights being stepped on in San Mateo County?
Michael Stogner
06-07-2009, 08:04 AM
First Amendment rights being stepped on in San Mateo County?
Victoria Balfour, an investigative journalist and freelance author for 30 years from New York, the civilian whistleblower who invested seven years of her life to locate victims of Dr. William Ayres here in San Mateo County has been barred from the public court room. Defense attorney Doron Weinberg had her removed with the blessing of SMC DA'S Office, stating "She is a potential witness." She has never had any contact with the seven victims within statue. She is not on any witness list as of 6/4/09
Welcome to San Mateo County
St. Clair Baxter
06-07-2009, 08:11 AM
with a journalist before?
Michael, FYI. You posted three identical threads.
Michael Stogner
06-07-2009, 08:29 AM
with a journalist before?
Michael, FYI. You posted three identical threads.
I've not heard of this situation before, its not easy being a whistleblower. The people who should have been protecting the children these last 43 years don't want the public to see how much work, effort and money a civilian has had to invest to bring this case to trial.
sorry about the triple post...working on it.
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial..."
Speedy, well that is out the window.......
Now, public appears to be fading as well........
I agree Mike, welcome to San Mateo County!
Michael Stogner
06-22-2009, 10:20 AM
Did anyone notice the blog I started a couple of years ago titled.
Dr. William Ayres Arrested has been deleted/removed as of this morning.
It had over 500 replies and 0ver 30,000 views as of today and now.
GONE
Michael,
It is my understanding that the Adminstrator's of Daily Journal forum found one of the posts by a certain person to be defamation, and slanderous.
It was decided to either permanently or temporarily remove the thread during the trial.
You can start a new thread and if certain person refrains from slandering individuals without the facts maybe our posts will stay and we can get information!
Opinions are fine, but one individual was getting to the point of harrassment.
Michael Stogner
07-08-2009, 10:11 PM
June 23, 2009
Presiding Judge Stephen M. Hall issued this order.
Standing Order 09-101
Standing Order RE:
Video Recording Devices and Still Cameras in Portions of the Hall of Justice.
IT IS HERBY ORDERED that commencing June 23, 2009 and continuing, no audio recording devices, video recording devices and/or still cameras, excluding cell phones, are to be present on the second, fourth, sixth, seventh or eighth floors of the Hall of Justice and Records. This order is made to ensure the orderly administration of justice and is consistent with prior orders of this Court
Welcome to San Mateo County
Michael,
I read the entire order, but it according to my understanding does not exclude cell phones. These days a lot of cellphones have video recording and of course some even have higher resolution digital cameras.
So writing an order and not excluding the sophisticated Iphones with video and other Palms etc. is a loop hole of great intelligence!
Can I steal your saying......Welcome to San Mateo County!
Michael Stogner
07-09-2009, 07:58 AM
June 29, 2009
Acting Presiding Judge Robert D. Foiles issued this order.
Standing Order 09-102
Amended Standing Order RE:
Video Recording Devices and Still Cameras in Portions of the Hall of Justice.
IT IS HERBY ORDERED that commencing June 23, 2009 and continuing, no audio recording devices, video recording devices and/or still cameras, excluding cell phones, are to be present on the second, fourth, sixth, seventh or eighth floors of the Hall of Justice and Records. This order is made to ensure the orderly administration of justice and is consistent with prior orders of this Court
This order does not apply to the County of San Mateo offices located on the fourth floor (District Attorney's Office) or the sixth floor (County Counsel's Office) of the Hall of Justice and Records, to persons going to and coming from those offices in connection with the business of either of those offices, or to County employees who are providing facilities services at any of the locations specified in this order. To the extent this order is inconsistent with the Standing Order issued on June 23, 2009 this Order shall take precedence over the June 23, 2009 Order.
The first Order 6/23/09 was in fact signed by Judge Hall, the Amended Order 6/29/09 was not signed by Judge Robert D.Foiles.
To this day there are no signs posted to warn the public of this policy change.
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