More on the Fincher Defense

I will be assisting lead attorney Quentin Rhoades of Montana in the appeal of Washington County Arkansas Militia Commander Hollis Wayne Fincher in the case U. S. vs. Fincher.

These are the folks who will be handling the appeal mentioned earlier today.

Uh...Can I Help You Guys?

Now why in the world do you suppose these people are interested in this blog...?

BATFU Claims Red's a "Credible Threat"

A federal agency has accused a local gun shop manager, who is also the Twin Falls City Planning and Zoning Commission chairman, of posing a credible threat to its agents' safety by harassing and intimidating them.

Here's the local take on the latest at Red's.

BATFU/DoJ Reneged on Deal to Stifle Red's

Yesterday I mentioned:

I've been sitting on some facts for a few days at the request of Ryan Horsley. BATFU had threatened him that he needed to cease all blogging and keep their agents and inspectors free from being photographed or observed, or they would go to the judge and file a complaint of harassment. Ryan was in a dilemma--he has been single-handedly bearing the burden of his defense against a fe(de)ral government with practically unlimited resources--yet if he continued to allow his
persecutors to operate in the dark, that is where they would kill Red's.

Here, as Paul Harvey says, is the rest of the story:

Ryan had been agonizing over this--on the one hand, he wanted to fight for what was right, and keep people informed of what was happening. On the other, the threat of a complaint like the one that was filed would mean a new round of legal expenditures that could break the bank. His legal counsel worked behind the scenes and received assurances from the US Attorney that the complaint would not be filed if Ryan simply did what all clients are advised to do: keep quiet and rely on non-involved observers to do the reporting.

Here's what the government demanded in order to not go to the judge:

No more video recordings of the ATF
No more audio recordings of the ATF
No more pictures of the ATF
No more information being posted about the inspectors
No more publicity
No more blogging
No more letting supporters know when the audits/investigations are being conducted
No allowing supporters to come in contact with the ATF (ie, speak with, video tape, photograph, etc.)

This is the agreement Ryan thought had been negotiated. This is what our government, instituted among men to secure the blessings of liberty, now demands of its citizens. Except US Attorney Deborah Ferguson and her BATFU "clients" reneged on their promise, and filed anyway after Ryan had reluctantly begun holding up his end of the deal and stopped posting.

WorldNetDaily Covers Red's Blog Controversy

...and mentions WarOnGuns. I had to laugh when they quoted me on the acronym "BATFU."

That aside, this is exactly the kind of response we need--focus attention and light on the persecution agenda--it's the only chance Red's has to keep from being murdered in the dark.

BREAKING NEWS: WAYNE FINCHER IMPRISONED

"We Cried all the Way to Prison"

From his daughter, Connie Fields:

Just to let you know that we got dad to prison on time. I never knew how hard something like this could be. We left at 3:00 a.m. this morning and we told stories, took pictures, ate breakfast and had a good time. We went for lunch and it started getting harder because you knew what was coming next. We cried all the way to the prison. It is not right to take a man like my dad to prison. You cannot imagine how we felt at that moment when we had to turn him over and know that he couldn't come back home with us. We all hugged him several times then watched as they took him away. He kept waving at us till they shut they door. He his in the Minimum Security at Forrest City, Arkansas which is very good. It may be a week or so before we hear from him. Will let you know as soon as we do.

Please remember him and us in your prayers. Thanks for all the prayers and all the help everyone has giving. Thank you from the family of HollisWayne Fincher.

I'll have more on this later. For right now, there is a defense fund set up for his appeal. As WarOnGuns regulars know, I never ask for any contributions for myself, and never ask anyone to contribute to any cause I don't also pony up for. Here's Connie's follow-up email:

As you know or may not know we have new lawyers that are doing the appeal. They have offered they services for PRO BONO. The only thing is that we have to pay for traveling fees and filing fees transcript fees etc.

We have set up an account at Arvest Banks that you can deposit money into the account. If you electronic deposit or wire money the account the information is routing number 082900872 account number is 0037421461. If you deposit at the Arvest bank the account is under Connie Fields H.W. Fincher Fund Account. Account Number 0037421461.

If you want to send money by mail send to Connie Fields H.W.FINCHER FUND ACCOUNT P.O. BOX 215 ELKINS ARKANSAS 72727.

This Money is for the attorneys. The main attorney is from Montana, his name is Quentin Rhoades and the other attorney's name is Stewart Rhodes and he is from Las Vegas, Nevada. These lawyers we feel are very qualified to handle this case. I know that people have given to this cause before and we thank you but, now we need your help again. This appeal is going to cost approximately $5000.00 just to go to St. Louis, if this goes to the Supreme court approximately another $10,000.00. Please help any way you can to keep your Second Amendment Rights and FREE WAYNE. Thank You very much from the family of Hollis Wayne Fincher.

I can't speak for anyone but myself. My check is going out in this afternoon's mail.

This Day in History: July 15

July 25, 1775...Maryland issues currency depicting George III trampling Magna Carta