Ian Freeman of Keene, NH rents a house to a tenant, who has a musty old couch on the property.

The city planner complained and a Keene City Code Enforcer ticketed Ian. Ian was willing to remove the couch, he only asked to face his accuser. Instead, a trial date was scheduled.

When Ian failed to sit down fast enough at "trial", the "judge" sentenced him to 30 days for contempt of court, moved him to a back room, sentenced him for another 60 days and, finally, 3 days for refusing to pay the couch-related fine.

Ian is currently incarcerated, serving a 93 day sentence - for refusing to bully his tenant into removing the couch and for sitting down too slowly. Is that just punishment?

Ian Freeman News from Around the Web

Comment Wall

Latest on Wed, 08:55 pm

Richard Cooper: Rather than contacting the court, does Keene have a tourist office or economic development office? Letting them know that it will make you think twice about visiting or investing there might influence City Hall.

Jeff: I find it odd that this can happen to an honest citizen, but we know rich people who are guilty for drugs, murder and rape continue to live with out jail time. 93 days in Jail seems too extreme [...]

Tom: Oh boo hoo. He was basically asking to get thrown in jail.

george: Ian has been released as of Mon afternoon.

Liberty Forum: Ian will be speaking at the 2009 Liberty Forum... you should be there!

Tim: here is the number to Keene District Court: (603) 352-2559

Tim F.: I just called the Keene District Courthouse, but the operator would not connect me to Judge Burke because communication is not allowed with judges. Anyhow, everyone else should put in a call as well. You might be able [...]

Michael R. Edelstein: I suggest everyone in Keene put a couch (or table or chair) on their front lawn in protest.

Kris: jail4judges.org

Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Bernard#Ian.27s_arrest

Aaron: It would be a shame for Ian to be discriminated against on videotape by a New Hampshire judge due to an acute medical condition. That would truly be a tragedy on the judges part. Perhaps thats why [...]

Steven G. Erickson: I got mouthy about bad judges and police in Connecticut. So when I resisted being mugged, the mugger was let go, I got a year in prison for resisting being mugged! I was also a property owner.

OmegaWolf747: I would expect something like this to happen in commie California, not in libertarian New Hampshire. What is happening to my favorite libertarian state?

margo: Hey 'unimpressed': yes. Ian was sentenced 93 days for refusing to bow down to a man in a funny dress. He has my sympathy.

Ryan: Someone needs to get this in hands of O'Reilly, Boortz, Savage, etc.

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