U.R.G.E.N.T. member Wayne Harper exercised his First Amendment right of Free Speech, and was charged with harassment. Then Harper exercised his Right to Trial, instead of taking a plea, and the final outcome is that the judge found him guilty.
Guilty
of harassing the prosecutor's office for making 3 phonecalls and
sending text messages. Harassment is a petty disorderly persons
offense. The municipal prosecutor, Donald DeDio, had asked that the
maximum possible fine, $500, be imposed. Judge Corradino instead
ordered Harper to pay a $200 fine plus court costs.
Wayne Harper - a law abiding citizen of Garfield New Jersey, who never had a run in with the law, who is a coach for the youth, was moved, as was the whole community of Garfield, New Jersey, after the police shooting of a city teen, Malik Williams. Wayne demanded an answer and called the prosecutor's office for the status on the case. He called three times. He was told that if he called again he would be charged. The prosecutor's office made good on their threat and charged Wayne with harassment. Keep in mind that the police officers involved in the shooting of Malik Williams, were not even charged. The only charges made related to this shooting was to Wayne Harper, a concerned citizen exercising his right to know.
The judge's decision is being criticized as it should be, read the comments northjersey.com, .
Walter Luers, president of the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government said, "If they don't want to deal with the public, then they shouldn't work for the public. This is a misuse of prosecutorial resources. They should be going after real criminals, not concerned citizens."
We applaud Harper for taking a stand.
This decision might stifle some to speak up, but for us and because of Harper's determination we will not stay quiet it there is an injustice. We will continue to fight for injustice.
No Justice. No Peace. Know Justice. Know Peace.
Read more here:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/bergen_prosecutor/Garfield_man_found_guilty_of_harassing_Bergen_Prosecutors_Office_.html
Wayne Harper - a law abiding citizen of Garfield New Jersey, who never had a run in with the law, who is a coach for the youth, was moved, as was the whole community of Garfield, New Jersey, after the police shooting of a city teen, Malik Williams. Wayne demanded an answer and called the prosecutor's office for the status on the case. He called three times. He was told that if he called again he would be charged. The prosecutor's office made good on their threat and charged Wayne with harassment. Keep in mind that the police officers involved in the shooting of Malik Williams, were not even charged. The only charges made related to this shooting was to Wayne Harper, a concerned citizen exercising his right to know.
The judge's decision is being criticized as it should be, read the comments northjersey.com, .
Walter Luers, president of the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government said, "If they don't want to deal with the public, then they shouldn't work for the public. This is a misuse of prosecutorial resources. They should be going after real criminals, not concerned citizens."
We applaud Harper for taking a stand.
This decision might stifle some to speak up, but for us and because of Harper's determination we will not stay quiet it there is an injustice. We will continue to fight for injustice.
No Justice. No Peace. Know Justice. Know Peace.
Read more here:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/bergen_prosecutor/Garfield_man_found_guilty_of_harassing_Bergen_Prosecutors_Office_.html
Right now in my heart, I’m not satisfied. I think it was one of the worst mis-justices ever.
-Wayne Harper
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