Three of Northampton County's most prominent criminal defense lawyers have been retained to represent Nazareth's dangerous Sticker Gang, a trio who dared place postage-stamp sized stickers that criticized Police Chief Thomas Trachta. Chained and shackled, they were paraded in front of a delighted press a few weeks ago in what is known as a "perp walk." This one was a staged event. I'm surprised they didn't sell tickets.
These lawyers represent some of the highest-paying clients, and don't need the aggravation of what is essentially a bullshit littering case. But there's a very important principle involved - Freedom of Speech. The Sticker Gang is really no different than the people who criticized King George, or who threw tea in the Boston Harbor. That's what has drawn them to the Sticker Gang.
Who are they?
Phil Lauer, whose disarming style lulls witnesses into a false sense of complacency, was the first. He's representing Trevor Gehret, the most vocal of the three. Mark Minotti, who comes from the Lou Minotti school of hard-nose lawyering, is a wrestler looking to pin Nazareth police in their prosecution of Daniel Logothetis. Batting in the three slot, for Jeremy Peters is Easton powerhouse Gary Asteak, whose cross-examination skills can be compared to a shredder. Though he is still being courted with flowers and love notes, he's expected to complete the team today.
Gary knows what it's like to be dumped on in Nazareth. Years ago, when he tried to open an office in the circle, the good people of Nazareth complained that they'd hold their noses walking by his office. Today, his office building is one of borough's most beautiful buildings. Mark Minotti knows what it's like to be the underdog. It's a lesson he learned as a wrestler. Phil has always hated seeing those with no voice being trampled.
Though they're working for free, there will be costs. A court reporter, for example, will be needed to transcribe the testimony at the preliminary hearing.
I have already made a small contribution. If you have $10 or even $1, you can help. Gehret has set up a "GoFundMe" to help defray defense costs. i have linked to it on my left sidebar as well.
The preliminary hearing, which was set for next week, has already been continued until August. About a week before, I'll let you know when it is taking place.
Updated 1 PM: Asteak is in! - "No need for a defense fund," he says. "The Borough of Nazareth, Chief Trachta, and Ptl. Troxell will ultimately have to foot the bill (civil rights claims pay damages and counsel fees) unless we get a withdrawal and apology soon." I am therefore removing the GoFundMe on my left sidebar, and am asking the person who made a $10 contribution to contact me back cannel at BOHare5948@aol.com. I'll get that $10 spot back to you.
40 comments:
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
FT = FIRE TRACHTA
Can't wait to see the fool in jackboots on his knees
Bernie, you've stated that it is your opinion (and correct me if I'm wrong) that Nazareth will have to pay big for what Trachta has done to these men. Why should someone donate to a legal team that should come out well compensated for their time?
I'm all for the first Amendment, but if this is a slam dunk, aren't the lawyers lining up to represent these guys?
I would prefer to see this matter dismissed, without the need to sue anybody. I made a contribution bc tolerating what Trachta did opens the door to a dictatorship. This is from criminal defense, not a civil rights lawsuit. But I respect your point.
Now Lauer will get 135 fewer calls for criminal defense
LOL
That's a good answer. Thank you Bernie.
Now that you have stated on record these lawyers are working for free, it would be nice to back that statement up with some facts....like quotes from these lawyers ......why are they working for free?
3 fine citizens were wrongly arrested?
I know of exactly zero lawyers who work for free. If they were close friends or family members, then yes, maybe...and thats a stretch , also.
And to add, what is the basis for a civil rights lawsuit ? Seems that the real issue is being a sore sport because it made the newspaper...thats not any basis for a civil rights lawsuit.
None of them were beaten...seems like procedure was followed here. The uncooperative criminal was properly contained...no illegal searches. I'm sure they were read their rights....
seems these criminals went out of their way to humiliate a Chief, and they found out real fast, that is a double edged sword.
The First amendment allows people to peacefully picket funerals in protest, and does allow people to burn a cross from time to time, and also allows students the right to wear bracelets to support breast cancer. ...etc....
Not sure though that the First Amendment protects speech which was done by defacing public property.
SO then graffitti artists are well within their rights?
I just made a $10 donation. Looks like mine was the first one submitted?
Yes. I gave $, but it was before I knew about the site. It is very nice of you to help these guys out.
9:13, These guys were prosecuted for the content of their message, not for placing easily removable stickers that deface nothing. The staged perp walk was designed to humiliate them and was done for that express reason, and to tear away the presumption of innocence. Two of the three were cuffed and tossed in a cell for refusing to admit their "crime." The arrest itself is a violation of civil rights bc these guys presented no flight risk and were not endangering anyone. The charges themselves are a malicious prosecution. They now have a great defense team, and i am sure that this case will be tossed in Easton.
"I know of exactly zero lawyers who work for free."
Then you know exactly zero lawyers. I know many, and they ALL take cases with no hope of compensation.
@9:13
Looks like you missed this: http://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2014/06/instead-of-kazoos-nazareth-has-perp.html#links
And this:
http://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2014/07/by-way-it-is-about-free-speech.html#links
O'hare, did you forget that you are no longer qualified to make legal determinations or argument?
SO you have to be a flight risk to get handcuffed?
No wonder you lost your lciense
SO then if the arrest was illegal, why did Morganelli approve the charges?
The trio of 3 already admitted to the crime
Azteak always fights for the underdog...a very respectable lawyer
Zito didnt think so, Gregory incarated for 15-30 over a few love letters
When Att'y Asteak represented Gregory, he managed to get him out of jail and on probation. When Gregory refused to follow Asteak's sage advice, he was dropped.
"O'hare, did you forget that you are no longer qualified to make legal determinations or argument?"
Then you have nothing to worry about.
"SO you have to be a flight risk to get handcuffed?"
You have to be a flight risk or a danger to public safety before getting arrested for littering.
"SO then if the arrest was illegal, why did Morganelli approve the charges?
The trio of 3 already admitted to the crime"
The DA's office approved charges, based on what they were told by Trachta. The Sticker gang did not admit to any crime.
I think both mcall and ET reported that, yes, they did admit to the crime
Untue. There was only one statement from Trevor, and that was not an admission of crime. The other two were tossed in a cell.
"Court records say Gehret met with borough police Thursday and admitted to purchasing 30 sheets of sticker paper and manufacturing more than 250 "FT" stickers. He said he gave the stickers to his brother Peters and friend Logothetis to place around the borough, according to court documents."
Gehret let the cat out of the bag
you are creating more damage to your buddies than anything else
it was reported on record, one of the two, stating, "Fine, I'll pay the $500 for the cleanup."
Those are not admissions of a crime. They are admissions of free speech.
The defendants are serial law-breakers who are charged with committing $500 in damage to other's property.
The are lowlifes. But The Constitution exists to protect even the scummiest of lowlifes.
More interesting is the Easton Police Department's illegal search/breaking-and-entering/terrorizing of a dementia sufferer while looking for a guy who turned himself in on a phone call. No tank was needed to arrest the non-violent suspect. But they used one anyway to terrorize his family.
Gary and Phil and Mark might want to check that one out. The civil settlement/award should be a large one. Thug cops are bad for all of us, and especially bad for taxpayers.
"Users are required to display their authentic identities when using GoFundMe. This helps ensure that donors understand who is collecting the money. GoFundMe helps communicate account authenticity while protecting users’ personal contact information by leveraging Facebook. Each GoFundMe user may connect a single Facebook account to their online donation page. In doing so, the user’s name, photo and number of friends is displayed. However, the link to a user’s Facebook profile remains private.
GoFundMe accounts that fail to meet the above requirement, or attempt to use Facebook accounts that don’t appear authentic (no photo or low friend count) will not be approved for inclusion within the GoFundMe Search Directory.
Additionally, GoFundMe donation pages that have not met the Facebook requirement will display a notification message to donors stating that the account has not been Facebook Verified."
Why were you collecting Trevor's cash?
Fraud, deceit, forgery , misrepresentation, illegal conduct, conduct that is prejuidical to the administration of law...etc...
I was not collecting the cash, and did not know of the existence of the GoFundMe site until I had made a direct contribution myself. I asked the donor to contact me so I can pay him the $10 he contributed. It is because of my post and my encouragement that the money was contributed. I feel obligated, even though I am NOT collecting the money. I am paying this sum out of my own pocket.
You assume incorrectly that I had control bc I want to pay the person the $10 he contributed. I want to do that bc I feel responsible. Because you have no feelings of empathy for others, you don't understand why I would want to do this.
I thought it was set up in trevor's name? ie...the money went to trevor.....it wasnt set up in your name
so trevor got the $10 spot, and you are paying him back?
I'm a tad confused.....
who created the go fund me campaign?
You are attempting to create confusion where none exists. Trevor created the GoFundMe account. The $10 went to him, not me. It was set up in his name. I am paying the donor $10 bc I solicited the donation and feel personally responsible. You are a "tsd confused" because you don't grasp concepts like personal responsibility.
"Fraud, deceit, forgery , misrepresentation, illegal conduct, conduct that is prejuidical to the administration of law...etc."
There is no evidence of this whatsoever. You have no clue how to make a legal argument in anything except an easily won RTK battle, yet you chose to do so and put your house in jeopardy.
A judge asks for you to brief X, and you throw in P and Q and argue that P and Q should have resulted in a superior argument.
"O'hare, did you forget that you are no longer qualified to make legal determinations or argument?"
One is qualified to state legal arguments through education, not a piece of paper. He just can't represent someone. I don't see that happening here - these three have licensed lawyers.
O hare your an idiot and its obvious with your obsession with the activities of the Nazareth Borough Police Department that you have a personal vendetta against them! Why don't you leave these officers alone and let them do their job! The job is hard enough in itself then they have to listen to your views on everything they do!
I have an immense amount of respect for police officers. Thugs who chain and shackle littering suspects, in an effort to humiliate them, are an embarrassment to real police officers. Don't compare yourself to them or the Nazareth officers who are trying to protect and serve.
Anon 4;47 Bernie is not obsessed,with the Police Dept. His blog in this issue IS JUST LIKE other county issues where it exposes or enlightens the PUBLIC about things they would not know otherwise. This media is what has a following of some newspapers in the way of public interest. If you don't like it ,don't tune in ,like I don't like fat lady shows on TV -I don't watch them.
A certain individual who is the sickest mental case your will ever come across is obsessed with Bernie and loves to make wild claims he is obsessed with her, or obsessed with whomever he is reporting on.
She uses asinine English, such as "Bernie O'Hare, your an idiot" which shows she is not only crazy, but she's an ignoramus and any money spent on her education was flushed down the toilet.
The only person obsessed is she. Her stripes are well known by now.
Trevor can keep the money. Small sacrifice to the 1st Amendment.
1:47 makes no sense.
-the first donor
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