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08-06-2006, 08:44 PM
Vindication: Police drop wiretap charges
By ANDREW WOLFE, Telegraph Staff
awolfe@nashuatelegraph.com
Published: Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006
NASHUA – Police won’t prosecute a man for using his home security system to record detectives on his front porch, Nashua Police Chief Timothy Hefferan announced Friday.
Michael Gannon was arrested June 27 after he made the videotape to record conversations among detectives who were at his door looking for his 15-year-old son, who was being investigated in connection with a mugging downtown. When Gannon brought the videotape to a police station to complain that a detective was rude to him, he was arrested on felony wiretapping charges.
The case attracted attention around the world, as news spread via the Internet. The Telegraph and city police received scores of phone calls and e-mails condemning the charges.
In addition to dropping the case against him, Nashua police also have concluded that Gannon’s complaint about the detective was justified, although the chief added that Gannon himself was “provocative” and “disrespectful.” The chief declined to say what discipline the detective might face.
Hefferan also commended detectives for their “tenacity and initiative” in investigating Gannon’s 15-year-old son, who was later charged in connection with the mugging. Police also found a stolen handgun inside the house, they reported, but it’s not clear who had possession of it, Hefferan said.
Gannon, 39, expressed relief.
“Glad to hear some good news finally,” he said. “I’ve been worried, a little scared, because they said they were going to hold 21 years over my head.”
After the case became public, the chief had said he would ask a prosecutor, First Assistant County Attorney Roger Chadwick, to review the case against Gannon.
On Friday, after conferring with the prosecutor, Hefferan said he decided to drop the matter.
More on this Story (http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060805/NEWS01/108050086)
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I think this is just a lil bit over the top from this Police dept to even attempt this sort of charges, and the law concerning this needs to be revised and made much more crystal clear for all to know and understand.
NTM the police dept needs to get a better process when it comes to filing complaints.
Read the talkbacks thats at the bottom link of this story, its not all bashing, theres some seriously decent debates concerning this and the 4th Amendment.
By ANDREW WOLFE, Telegraph Staff
awolfe@nashuatelegraph.com
Published: Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006
NASHUA – Police won’t prosecute a man for using his home security system to record detectives on his front porch, Nashua Police Chief Timothy Hefferan announced Friday.
Michael Gannon was arrested June 27 after he made the videotape to record conversations among detectives who were at his door looking for his 15-year-old son, who was being investigated in connection with a mugging downtown. When Gannon brought the videotape to a police station to complain that a detective was rude to him, he was arrested on felony wiretapping charges.
The case attracted attention around the world, as news spread via the Internet. The Telegraph and city police received scores of phone calls and e-mails condemning the charges.
In addition to dropping the case against him, Nashua police also have concluded that Gannon’s complaint about the detective was justified, although the chief added that Gannon himself was “provocative” and “disrespectful.” The chief declined to say what discipline the detective might face.
Hefferan also commended detectives for their “tenacity and initiative” in investigating Gannon’s 15-year-old son, who was later charged in connection with the mugging. Police also found a stolen handgun inside the house, they reported, but it’s not clear who had possession of it, Hefferan said.
Gannon, 39, expressed relief.
“Glad to hear some good news finally,” he said. “I’ve been worried, a little scared, because they said they were going to hold 21 years over my head.”
After the case became public, the chief had said he would ask a prosecutor, First Assistant County Attorney Roger Chadwick, to review the case against Gannon.
On Friday, after conferring with the prosecutor, Hefferan said he decided to drop the matter.
More on this Story (http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060805/NEWS01/108050086)
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I think this is just a lil bit over the top from this Police dept to even attempt this sort of charges, and the law concerning this needs to be revised and made much more crystal clear for all to know and understand.
NTM the police dept needs to get a better process when it comes to filing complaints.
Read the talkbacks thats at the bottom link of this story, its not all bashing, theres some seriously decent debates concerning this and the 4th Amendment.