Mescota Co. Judge Jaklevic Has Man Arrested For Handing Out Jury Nullification Pamphlets

[gretta47]

This really blows my mind. Its just more and more pieces of the picture showing us that the judicial system is in fact more corrupt than I ever suspected.

 

This man (Keith Woods) who is a Pastor, I believe, was on the public sidewalk outside the Mescota County courthouse handing out pamphlets (that were created by by a third party organization) discussing Jury Nullification. 

 

Judge Peter Jakelevic didn't like this and had him arrested and charged with one count of obstruction of justice which is a 5 year felony and up to $10,000 in fines and one count of attempting to influence jurors, a one year misdemeanor and up to $1,000 in fines.

( PIONEER        bigrapidsnews.com Feb 3rd)

Apparently Judges and Prosecutors dont want the public to become informed about the option that they have as Jurors - JURY NULLIFICATION

"Jury nullification is the idea that jurors have the right to ignore a law they disagree with and vote according to their conscience. Supporters say it is legal and jurors should know their rights. Many prosecutors and judges disagree."

http://woodtv.com/2015/12/10/debate-over-charges-for-fliers-in-front-of-courthouse/ (read article about it here)

 

I have never served on a Jury and also I didnt know that Judges usually dont inform the Jury of this either. 

 

Keith Wood was sentenced to 150,000 bond and had to put the $ on his credit card to bail out. 

There is a facebook page (we support Keith Wood) to show support for him (and also our First Amendment  right)

His hearing is March 23rd

 

a motions hearing for dismissal, reduction of bond and discovery. 

Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - 9:00 am

Mecosta County Courthouse (49th Circuit Court Room)
400 Elm St.
Big Rapids, MI 49307

 

I must say.....Michigan is really out of control as a police state. The system is attempting to dismantle our rights and make the people into sheep. No choice, no rights, no thought, no nothing.......follow the Shepard or else.

 

 

 

 

Pioneer Article-02-03-2016.pdf

[+Malamute]

Courts have only upheld restrictions on distribution of jury nullification information inside courthouses or in other fora where the government has a right to restrict speech. See, e.g., Braun v. Baldwin, 346 F.3d 761, 763 (7th Cir. 2003).

 

 Multple courts have struck down purported limits on distribution of jury nullification information in public places like streets, and have narrowed restrictions on "jury tampering" to situations where defendants targeted people they knew to be on particular juries. See, e.g., United States v. Heicklen, 858 F. Supp. 2d 256, 275 (S.D.N.Y. 2012); Verlo v. City & Cty. of Denver, Colorado, No. 15-CV-1775-WJM-MJW, 2015 WL 5012919 (D. Colo. Aug. 25, 2015).

 

Courts say that a citizen standing on a public street handing out literature arguing about a core civic function, not directed at any particular judicial proceeding, is core free speech protected by the First Amendment.

[trichcycler]

http://michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/topic/49754-judge-orders-former-pastor-arrested-for-handing-out-jury-nullification-fliers/ Edited March 4, 2016 by grassmatch

[t-pain]

His hearing is March 23rd

 

a motions hearing for dismissal, reduction of bond and discovery. 

Wednesday, March 23, 2016 - 9:00 am

Mecosta County Courthouse (49th Circuit Court Room)

400 Elm St.

Big Rapids, MI 49307

 

I must say.....Michigan is really out of control as a police state. The system is attempting to dismantle our rights and make the people into sheep. No choice, no rights, no thought, no nothing.......follow the Shepard or else.

thanks for posting the addy and date/time. hope he sues for wrongful arrest and wins.

[beourbud]

Former pastor's felony charge dropped, jury tampering claim remains

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/03/former_pastors_felony_charge_d.html

 

 

BIG RAPIDS, MI -- A former pastor who was accused of obstruction of justice for handing out jury nullification fliers in front of a Michigan courthouse has had the felony charge dismissed.

 

Keith Wood, a self-employed insurance broker who was a pastor in Colorado for five years before moving to Mecosta County, was arrested in November by order of District Court Judge Peter Jaklevic.

 

Jaklevic and Prosecutor Brian Thiede accused Wood of felony obstruction of justice, punishable by up to five years, and misdemeanor jury tampering, a one-year offense, for passing out pamphlets that encouraged potential jurors to vote their conscience over the law.

 

Mecosta Circuit Judge Kimberly Booher on Wednesday, March 23, granted a motion from Wood's attorney, David Kallman, to drop the felony. Booher declined to boot the jury tampering allegation.

 

Wood admits he was giving people the flier "What rights do you have as a juror that the judge won't tell you about?" on the sidewalk outside of the courthouse. Potential jurors entered the building reading the brochure and led Jaklevic to call for Wood's arrest.

 

Wood was jailed for about 12 hours on a $150,000 bond. He used a credit card to pay the $15,000 required for his release. Booher, during the Wednesday hearing, ordered the money refunded while changing Wood's status to a personal recognizance bond.

 

Thiede argued at a probable cause hearing in December that the literature misrepresented the legal system and could lead to a lawless society. Jurors could set bombers and killers free if they believed in the motivation behind the crime, Thiede argued.

 

Kallman countered that the allegation was a violation of free speech rights, a contention he stands by.

 

"I'm convinced the rest of the case will be dismissed based on First Amendment rights," Kallman said Wednesday.

 

Thiede maintains Wood knew that a land use case against an Amish man was scheduled for jury pick the day he handed out the fliers and he was trying to tamper with that proceeding.

 

 

 

Thank You to everyone who came out to support Keith and thank you to his Legal Team

 

The prosecutor is a more on!

Edited March 24, 2016 by beourbud

[trichcycler]

Jurors could set bombers and killers free if they believed in the motivation behind the crime

 

Thanks for posting this B !

 

 

I never considered that point. ^  still don't actually

 military around the world are considered "bombers and killers" for thought.