Free ward bird!
 

here is a interesting link
http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ird_Motion.pdf
notice how the crazy lady cannot recognize the defendant. This sounds like a witch hunt!

I did read through the link. Except for the fact that there was a previous mistrial, nothing really new. It is true that the defense counsel made an issue of the woman not being able to identify the defendant, this really did seem to be a legal ploy and did not really carry any weight. A lot of this stuff seems to be procedural that only attorneys can really follow.

I may not be correct on this but it seems that this document is from before the trial that convicted him.

I really don't have a horse in this race, but I don't think much will be settled in the Forum. But that doesn't mean I don't read every word.

Good Man - Bad Law, Free Ward Bird; along with one or two other home made signs, created in a style similar to the Burma-Shave roadside signs of the 1930's where you see a number of small signs which create a message as they get pieced together and read in one sentence as one drives down the road have been placed along the Moulton Farm field alongside Route 25 in Meredith.

Over on Route 104 in Meredith not far from Lake Wicwas, there's about two large painted plywood signs held up by 2x4's promoting freewardbird.org
.................


If I were his defense attorney I would have brought forward the premise that he had recently had a medical operation and was in a recovery mode. It is not unusual for people to be stressed when undergoing a recuperation and to react with more anger than ordinary and to overreact due to recuperation grumpiness. Asking a judge to take that into consideration seems like a reasonable request?

FLL,
In one of the below trial documents that www.freewardbird.org posted on there website they talk about Bird’s operation. Spend some time reading these documents about the trial and maybe it might help you.


http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...pplemental.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ird-ERRATA.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ardBird_JS.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u..._JS-ERRATA.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ird_Motion.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ion-ERRATA.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...Bird_Index.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...tvWardBird.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ird-ERRATA.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...tvWardBird.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ird-ERRATA.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...tvWardBird.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ird-ERRATA.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...tvWardBird.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ird-ERRATA.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...tvWardBird.pdf

http://freewardbird.org/wp-content/u...ird-ERRATA.pdf

It won't matter
 

He will just go off on some other tangent.

FLL what were you doing with $850 of cash in 1979? Were you a drug dealer? That could explain some things!

No, I used to own a small Boston retail hardware store w/ Kyanize Paint,paint sundries, plumbing, electrical, hardware, fasteners, tools, housewares, and a big locksmith & key dept. After that event, I changed the old cash-in-the-register m.o. Except for a daily cup of coffee or two, I am 100% prescription drug free, and thank-you for asking!

I loved Kyanize paint! Too bad they went out of business.

Great harm or threat? You only get to shoot in NH if you are in fear for your life. If you are 6 foot tall and a 5 foot women who has come into your home illegally comes at you with pocket knife and you shoot her you will be arrested and charged. You cannot reasonble argue that that small women even with her 6 inch knife was not something you could have reasonble protected yourself from WITHOUT lethal force.

Kyanize started out in 1899 as the Boston Paint Co, and then sometime in the late 1940's or something, they changed the name to Kyanize for a reason unknown. It was made in Everett on Second St and was in biz from 1899 to about 1990 when it got sold for a big price. And the new owners, Gulf States Paint, killed the brand and just dropped the name all together after a couple years in the early 1990's. KYANIZE PAINT.........r.i.p!

Now, back to getting Ward Bird out of the slammer over in Ossipee?

long thread
 

Quite the thread.
Response to earlier post...was not trolling. And think anyone who wants to own a gun, absolutely should be able to (although I am not a fan of a gun in a home). Just as I believe, someone should be able to light up a ciggerette, whereever they dam well please, as long as they are outside. (and I have never been a smoker).
My point was simply that with no guns in a home, you will have no accident. Furthermore, with regard to the question about how many homebreaks were stopped...I would guess that the number of accidental home shootings, FAR OUTWEIGHS, the number of home invasions that are prevented. Just a guess.
I don't think guns mix with homes that have children/ curious teenagers/ etc.. My opinion. You don't need to explain to me about proper education, and safety measures...I get it, and know I am in the minority. So save the speach. It's just my opinion.
With regard to support for Bird....HOLY COW!!!
For anyone who is reading from afar... you would not believe what the town looks like.I went up to visit some friends who live year round on Long Island, last week. And, from the time you take a right at Murphy's Irving, it's a non-stop line of signs in people's yards. They are everywhere. Also saw on the back window of several pick up trucks "FREE BIRD" in block letters. The support is overwhelming. I still cannot believe a judge cannot look into this woman's history, realize she has issues, and no ability to enter into a real estate transaction...and conclude she went there with an agenda. She went to cause trouble. Just my thoughts...
Is it ice out yet?????

I found this interesting and educational to read and will confess that I didn't read it all (yet)
I suspect that some others will find it interesting and educational as well.
627.4 and 627.7 are particularly pertinent to the discussion. You might find it easier to go to the actual web page and read it there.
This makes for an incredibly long post. I will leave it up for now but if anybody objects to it's size I will be happy to edit the post and just leave the link. :)
TITLE LXII
CRIMINAL CODE
CHAPTER 627
JUSTIFICATION

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...27/627-mrg.htm

wow
 

...now that's a post. A bit excessive....no????

I will take that as an objection and have edited the original post as I mentioned I would. :)

Pardon bird
 

Title all messages PARDON BIRD

I go to Foxwoods occasionally to gamble. I do not gamble with my life or my family's life, so statistics are of no matter to me as to what the precentage of home accidents versus stopping an intruder are. I can find out as well as anyone what the percentage is, but it is of no concern. I know if I armed, and I am trained, I can prevent an intruder from harming my family more times than they can injure us.

One can argue whether Ward felt threatened or not. It is a mute point, because only he can tell you. I am of the opinion that as the homeowner he should be given the benefit of the doubt. Pardon him and let him go back to his family!

Petition To Free Ward Bird Picks Up Steam
 

From today's WMUR web site. Looks like the list of signers would make a good list of Reps to vote for.

He did wrong - but it was a very, VERY minor offense
 

He made a mistake, one that no handgunner should make. I imagine he was pissed off and wanted to make an impression. This is now legal in NH (as of 1/1/11) but it wasn't legal when he did it.

He should pay a $100 fine. 3 years in the slammer is a travesty. I, too, hope he's home soon.

Pardon and Free Ward Bird. Expunge his record!
 

I am incensed by this example of so called justice. There are so many really bad people who are guilty of something and get no jail time at all. People who have hurt others or done dastardly deeds walk free.

This man, Ward Bird, has hurt no one. He was on his own land. He does not deserve such a life altering consequence. This is just not right.

He should not have a criminal record or spend any time behind bars. :mad:

Should have settled for less!
 

I agree that Ward Bird should be getting some type of community service sentence to be determined by a judge who knows about alternative sentencing as opposed to doing three to six years in prison/jail. Put Ward to work with an electric sander and a gallon of tile red floor paint and have him refinish the Moultonborough library floor and staircase that goes down to the basement. Follow that up by painting the basement walls a warm friendly shade of medium yellow. If he does a good job working down in the basement, then have him start refinishing the bookshelves upstairs with some satin finish polyurethane, the expensive stuff, or something!

Sometimes people just get annoyed and go wave a handgun around as a power gesture when they should be keeping it holstered and out of sight. It happens?

I continue to say that his irritability factor could easily have been influenced by his medical operation recovery at the time of the incident as that tends to make people a little cranky, sometimes.

Instead of sticking to his guns and maintaining his determination and taking his case to the NH Supremes, maybe he would have been better off just agreeing to settle for less legal success by accepting the offered plea bargain?

As an alternative to sitting around a jail and not doing much except reading and watching tv, it could well be that he would welcome the opportunity to scrape, sand, and paint some of the inside walls and surfaces at the Carroll County Jail?

www.carrollcountynh.net

Ok, excuse me while I run for the bomb shelter, before you all start hurling the proverbial mud and rocks at me!:rolleye2:

Good article on the front page of todays LDS that talks about the petition to free Ward Bird.


“At the request of the newly elected Speaker of the N.H. House William O’Brien, Gov. John Lynch yesterday met with him and a small delegation of legislators to receive a petition supporting a pardon for Ward Bird.

The petition, signed by about 100 representatives from both parties, asks that Lynch “take the necessary steps” to release Bird from the Carroll County Jail before Christmas.
“It is well known and understood that if this request is acted upon it would represent a very rare circumstance for a convicted felon in this state,” wrote O’Brien.”

Ward Bird did not admit anything and his attorney did everything he was supposed to do. For some reason the jurors believed her and not him.:(

Please go HERE and read the "Trial Documents" that are posted there and you will see that Ward did not say he waved or pointed a gun at her.

Have you even bothered to read ANY of the court transcripts ??
There is NO PROOF or WITNESS'S that back up or support the claim that he EVER WAVED A GUN at Anybody !! Only the "say so" of the woman !
I to have been an owner of firearms since I was a boy and have actively carried concealed for the last 30+ years. Now I am no Einstein, but there is a huge difference in taking a handgun out of it's holster to check it's safety and waving it in somebody's face

Here's what should probably be considered an unconfirmed source from the email comments in today's Union Leader.

"Let's keep in mind that this is not the first time Mr. Bird has been in trouble with the law for misuse of a weapon. In 2002, he was fined for some mischief with a gun. His wife is sure he made an honest mistake."

Chris K, Strafford NH

I really like you FLL....I really do....I think most of your posts are funny and you seem to make comments as you see them, be it right or wrong in other peoples eyes.

But when you post something that is either a comment from a news source article or from an unconfirmed email comment, then it bothers me and I'm sure it bothers other forum members even more.

Now go to McDonalds and get a Happy Meal so their stock will go up a little.:)

Just my 2 cents!

Pardon bird
 

I am so thankful to the Legislators that signed the petition and met with Governor Lynch. I pray for his pardon and release.

This is WMUR re: previous gun problems:


"Ward's prison sentence for criminal threatening with his gun on his own property isn't the first time he's come up against law enforcement.

In 2002, he was fined for 'unauthorized use of firearms' for being in a 'compact part of Moultonborough' and 'discharging a pistol ... without written permission of the chief of police.'

Bird paid a $480 fine. His wife, Virginia, said it was an accident while Bird was target practicing."


I guess one could take the position that this is irrrelevant to the present episode; but then to be consistent, the women's past history is just as irrelevant to the present episode.
I don't know Ward Bird, but just trying to point out the slippery slope of wanting all past actions to be admissable in court. If I did not have all the 'facts' as presented on the Forum, I might just think this guy is pretty irresponsible if he had two run-ins with the law regarding firearms.

I am shaking my head reading this story and cannot believe it to be true!! A whacked out women comes on your property peering into your windows and is belligerent when you ask her to leave and HE gets time in jail?? What a bunch of buffoons in the NH justice system from bottom to top!! A complete embarassment!! I thought Florida had a bunch of morons but this completely tops it!!

Thanks Newbiesaukee…..but I think that if the trial would have let both sides bring up the past of the victim and the accused, we all know who would have been the winner and loser in that deal.

I’m sure you are a hero in many people’s eyes as far as knowing how to handle a firearm…however…if you read the Trial Documents Ward Bird did not admit to having a gun in his hand while talking to the victim.

I was a doubter in the beginning of this thread but after reading the Trial Documents I have changed my mind.

Free Ward Bird
 

I just spent more than 10 hours reading and re-reading the entire transcript of State v Ward Bird. I encourage everyone with an interest or an opinion in this matter to do the same, so that they understand what went on in the courtroom.

For all the members of this jury to believe a person who was trespassing, who had significant differences between what she testified under oath and the written statements she made within a day of the incident, and find the defendant and property owner, Ward Bird, guilty is beyond my ability to comprehend.

In addition, on the WMUR web site is a recorded interview of Ward and he clearly says he did not do what he was accused of doing. Here is a link to that interview: http://www.wmur.com/news/26173059/detail.html

After doing this reading and listening to Ward's statement, I have decided to start making contributions to the cause. Thanks to YS, there is a link to the Free Ward Bird web site where you can read the transcript and also donate to a fund that will help Ward and his family. Here is that link: http://freewardbird.org/

Thanks to all the legislators for getting the petition going and I pray that the Governor and his staff do the right thing and parton Ward, and do it quickly please. This wrong has to be addressed. It is totally unfair to Ward, his wife and their childern.

R2B

Does anybody know any of the jurors that were on the case? Would make for good reading. I honestly think our justice system needs a major overhaul. The statement to the jury by the judge is quite bit of legal mumbo jumbo. Really need people with logic and common sense, not run of the mill people passing lots of laws.

http://www.grassshoppingminpins.net/page34
This is the lady who's word the MPD and the county attorney took over a local scout leader, church deacon, farmer who has lived most of his life in this community.

And of course, they can not allow that to appear in court. Stupid justice. The part truth aand only the part truth.

Friday 6-7pm, Center Harbor band gazebo
 

Anyone looking for something to do on Friday evening? www.freewardbird.org has a Christmas virgil & songfest sing-a-long planned for the Center Harbor band gazebo, just across from the post office, on Friday, December 24, from 6-7pm. Should maybe be a big turn-out what with all the strong local interest plus there will be a musical band and some talented singers/musicians.

Not able to get there? You should be able to attend it "virtually" on line, I believe at www.freewardbird.org, but that may be incorrect.

What would be real nice to see would be a strong rendition of Jail House Rock, the popular Elvis song, but performed by an Elvis style look-a-like made up to look just like WARD. Would that get any attention or what? Oh well......ho-hum.....just a thought......I bettcha that Annie & The Orphans band from Center Harbor could put that all together real good in about 20-minutes of rehearsal time.:D:laugh::D

...arrrrrrrooooooooo.....oops...sorry Hound-Dog...it's not your song!

You might be surprised about this, but just a little bit of Elvis can go a long way in motivating public support!

Can you believe it, this Christmas Eve "Free Ward Bird" virgil & songfest is the lead front page story in today's Dec 22 www.unionleader.com .......

The Center Harbor band gazebo is a terrific designer-archirtected public structure located on the sloping town green just across from the Center Harbor Congregational Church, Center Harbor post office, & fire station/police station/town office and Center Harbor Public Library, and the sloping hill creates a large outdoor ampitheater style venue. One heck of a good spot for an outdoor concert, and hopefully the weather will be friendly!

Will you be there?

On the front page of todays LDS it states the following:

"Police records suggest Ward Bird’s accuser stumbled into
a heated dispute between members of large M’boro family"

This is a very interesting read!

I didn't realize that there was a family feud going on about the land that Harris was interested in buying.

Looks like Ward definately goes first class with both his choice of a handgun and his choice of a defense attorney.

I had been think'n that he had an old .45 WW2 style gun, but this article says it is a Sig Sauer 45 which is something that a police officer could easily be carrying. A gun like that probably costs about $750, and is made in Switzerland.

I still say that for about 8.99, he could of got himself a first class corn broom and then used the broom to be waving off any lost women look'n for directions.:D Besides, no way can you sweep the floor with a $750 Sig .45!

Switzerland ???
 

The Sig Sauer factory is located in Exeter New Hampshire.

Something like the individual parts get machined back home in Switzerland, and then they get assembled in Exeter, in order to save money on U.S. import fees? Or, something like that, I don't know?

Have you seen the little white oval rear windshield stickers on local cars that say Sig Sauer? What's the message there:rolleye2:?

Anyone know where I can get a similar white oval sticker that says O'Cedar, which as you probably know, is a high-priced maker of mops and quality brooms? Protected by an O'Cedar.....so just back off....you there:cool:!

Curious what people think about the long article in the LDS? If it is true (i.e. the extensive police interactions re: dispute between Bird and wife's family pre-Harris incident) that would be a pretty big egg on your face to much of the pontificating going on these last 290+ posts.

If Harris' past can't be used in court, why would Bird's past be used in court? Isn't that a double standard?

Even if the article is true, why would that justify a man spending 3-6 years in prison because he waved a firearm at someone running her mouth, refusing to leave, and being a pest? I could see some prison time for that, perhaps... apparently there was no reasonable doubt left that he did something wrong; but isn't the sentence just a bit extreme?

What's next? Are we going to start cutting the hands off kids who steal lollypops?