Dave Ridley’s 2009-04-13 arraignment
Incident Timeline:
Monday, April 13th, 2009: Dave Ridley’s arraignment, Sam Dodson and others (including Kurt Hoffman) arrested.
Friday October 2st, 2009: Kurt Hoffman’s day in court for disorderly conduct as well as another incident from when he was pulled over in Roxbury, NH a couple months prior. The reason for the long delay relative to others was due to him being in jail at the time of his original court date. Due to construction on the roadway in which Kurt was taking to get to the court he was late to the trial. Upon arriving judge Burke asks him questions apparently regarding a charge of contempt for being late. Kurt indicated that he did not understand what was going on and Burke sentenced him to 180 days in jail for contempt.
After being brought into a back room to continue the trail, where no cameras were aloud and only his wife present, something occurred which caused Officer Eliezer Rivera to allegedly push Kurt while his arms were cuffed causing him to fall and possibly harm his neck. He was brought to the hospital and an X-ray performed. It was later reported that he was more or less fine physically and was brought to the Cheshire County jail.
The following is what Coconut reported regarding the events:
Alright here’s what I have for you guys for now:
Kurt was initially refusing to sit at the defense table when Burke came in and ordered so. Burke says “We’re going to go on a recess, and I’m going to give you time to reconsider. You are ordered not to leave the courtroom.” He then left the courtroom and went to the bathroom, and came back, and Burke resumed with Kurt:
For those that don’t want to or can’t listen to the file, Burke found Kurt in contempt for interfering with the procedure of the court, and offered to let him “answer for himself.” Kurt continued his behavior and Burke then said “I’ll take that as you waiving your right to answer. You are sentenced to 180 days in the house of corrections.”
When approached by police, Kurt briefly stood up and then went to the floor. Officers and bailiffs forced everyone out except Auburn and Ian with his camera for some reason. I wish I’d just remained seated quietly in the courtroom as I had been. Kurt was then handcuffed and put in a rolly-chair and taken to the next room over. Ian was not allowed in there but Auburn was.
Kurt asked to be unhandcuffed to hug his wife goodbye for 180 days, and Lance would not comply. Kurt then tried some acrobatics to get his hands in front of him, and Lance called Eli Rivera in for backup. At which time Eli began forcing Kurt around.
Kurt Pushed Around (audio file)
(sorry. I probably shouldn’t have been arguing with the bailiff when I’m trying to record.)Apparently Kurt somehow got to his feet and he and Eli did some sort of dance around the table before Eli eventually pushed him down. An ambulance was called and Kurt was taken out on a stretcher. Meanwhile, we are being forced away for fears we are going to take pictures of him. He is reported released from the hospital and at Westmoreland now.
Below is raw footage taken by Ian Bernard:
Thursday, November 5th, 2009: Judge Edward Burke denies the motion to reduce Kurt’s sentence.
Thursday, November 19th, 2009: In an immediate hearing for Kurt regarding a request his wife submitted the day before Kurt had his sentence suspended and was released from jail.
