SO WHO ARE THE LAWBREAKERS?
by Sharon Rondeau
(Oct. 31, 2010) — The Post & Email has contacted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department twice today: once this morning and once at 9:45 p.m. EDT and received two different answers to the same question.
This morning, we spoke with Officer Krouter, who stated that visitors are allowed to see LCDR Fitzpatrick, who was badly beaten and tasered, then arrested last week, on Wednesdays and Sundays. This writer was personally invited to visit this afternoon.
However, this evening a different officer said that visitors’ days for “Cell 1” are Wednesdays and Saturdays.
That might explain why a former military serviceman who was trying to arrange a visit by a physician or minister today was told that it would not be permitted.
This evening The Post & Email was told that a minister would fall under the Wednesday/Saturday restriction unless he is on the “approved list of ministers” maintained by the jail. When we asked how to obtain a copy of the list, the officer said to speak with “Chief Prock,” who reportedly will be in on Monday. Our answer was, “Oh, yes, we know who he is. He is one of the four who beat up Walt last week.” There was silence on the other end of the phone.
We asked if Mr. Fitzpatrick had been injured since he was taken to the jail, and the officer said, “No, he hasn’t been injured since he got here.” When we said, “But we know he was badly injured before that,” the officer said nothing.
We then inquired if Fitzpatrick has seen a doctor for his injuries and the officer said “I don’t know what his medical status is.”
This evening we asked the officer if he could confirm that the FBI had made a visit on Friday to speak with LCDR Fitzpatrick, and he said he could not.
This morning we asked if a message could be delivered to Mr. Fitzpatrick asking him to call us, as The Post & Email has not heard from him since Friday evening. Last Wednesday evening, directly following his arrest, we were told by a female officer, “He can make as many calls as he wants, as long as they’re collect.” This morning it was a different story: we were told that a phone message cannot be delivered but that we could visit in person today or write a letter.
A Facebook page has been started for LCDR Fitzpatrick. Darren Huff, a defendant with a separate but related case to Fitzpatrick’s, also has a Facebook page here.
A supporter of Fitzpatrick stated this evening, “I also called the Detention Facility yesterday and had it out with some backwoods Deputy who threatened to have me arrested for harassment if I kept calling back. (the coward kept hanging up on me!!) I had to explain things to him…’I know they call it ‘harassment’ in your county, but it’s really just the First Amendment Right to Free Speech, and I will call whoever I want!!'”
Sergeant of Marines Timothy Harrington and JB Williams were guests on the “CJ and Tallulah” show last night, explaining the events in Monroe County leading up to Fitzpatrick’s arrest last Wednesday. The Post & Email answered questions from CJ and Tallulah during the second broadcast of the show beginning at 11:00 p.m. EDT.
The Monroe County detention facility can be reached at 423-442-3911.
If there is anyone who can visit LCDR Fitzpatrick at the detention facility on Wednesday to provide an eyewitness report of his condition, please contact us at editor@thepostemail.com.
The Post & Email left a voice message on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:30 PDT for Atty. Stephen Pidgeon to inquire as to whether or not he had knowledge of the alleged October 22 hearing at the Monroe County courthouse. To date, our call has not been returned.
UPDATE, November 1, 2010: The Post & Email contacted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department this morning and again asked for the list of approved clergy. We were transferred to Captain Wilson’s voice mail. There we left a message regarding the list, asked why Mr. Fitzpatrick has not been able to call us recently, and asked if he has been able to see a doctor for his injuries. As of 1:36 p.m. EDT, our call has not been returned.
Sgt. Tim Harrington has contacted a Catholic priest who has agreed to visit Mr. Fitzpatrick at the jail today. Whether or not the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department will allow him in remains to be seen.
I for one am outraged that Commander Fitzpatrick has been charged with crimes for which he does not have a defense. I think this is completly totalitarian!
I see that Sheriff Bivens had a photo op with a copy of the U.S. Constitution posted on the wall behind him (see Bivens picture) I wonder if he ever read it ?
apparently not !
If Walt insists on being his own lawyer, he will lock the cell door on himself and throw away the key forever. There is a clear pattern emerging. Walt will not listen to anything that a man tells him, but he seems to sometimes listen to women. What about a woman lawyer? Perhaps Mrs. Rondeau could present the idea to him.
At a bare minimum, a local female lawyer could visit him daily to make sure he is not being harmed at the jail. Also, she would have the mobility which he does not, to gather witness testimony. And finally, as a bonus, she might be able to help Walt from destroying himself at the trial.
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Mrs. Rondeau replies: He did not insist on being his own lawyer. That report is false.
Mrs. Rondeau: Did they not offer him a Public Defender? And did Walt say what happened to Pidgeon? I’ve read Walt fired him. Can you clear that up?
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Mrs. Rondeau replies: My understanding is that they did not offer him any counsel at all, and it appears that no one in Monroe County wants to take the case. The denial of counsel is a violation of his Sixth Amendment rights, but these monsters don’t care. All they want is to lock him up for the rest of his life and throw away the key. Regarding what occurred between Walt and Atty. Pidgeon, I am not at liberty to comment, although the information will come out eventually.
I agree with Uncommonsense; Cmdr Fitzpatrick is passionate about our country and our Constitution, as am I. Given my own emotional in-sensibilities about the current state of our union, I feel that Walt really needs a lawyer. Can we get in touch with the guys at Patriots Union about this?
Why is it at least one million Americans are not marching all across the United States demanding justice for this man and Co.LT Lakin?
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Mrs. Rondeau replies: Because we’ve become too complacent, like a bunch of sheep. Keep calling the FBI: 865-544-0751 and ask for the duty agent.
Also you should put (retired) after the rank/name since he is NOT active duty.
Dude… lighten up!
It is considered proper protocol to shorten the rank when directly addressing military personnel. Example: Lieutenant General as “General”, Lieutenant Commander as “Commander”, Rear Admiral as “Admiral”, Sergeant First Class as “Sergeant”, and Private First Class as “Private”. Yes, the term “Retired” or some variation thereof should be used on official correspondence if retired. IMO this is not official correspondence. It’s a blog.
http://www.formsofaddress.info/USA_Retired.html#117
Mrs. Rondeau! I just read an AP story that said Walt had a hearing this morning! He told the Judge that he didn’t need a lawyer, that with a Master’s Degree, he was more than smart enough to represent himself! This is a bad, bad idea. You know they say he who represents himself has a fool for a client! Besides, Walt can’t possibly prepare for trial from inside the jail! He needs a real lawyer! Can you help find him one in TN? If he tries to represent himself he may be in jail forever!
I agree. Do you have a link for the AP story?
This article has been posted on the following web site:
http://www.repubx.com/
The news continues to spread.
Dear Mrs. Rondeau,
Thank you very much for keeping Lt. Cmdr. Fitzpatrick’s battle in the public light. That literally may be a lifesaver for the Commander.
Have you been able to contact Stephen Pidgeon and get his view on recent events and what is transpiring right now? Do you know if he is still in Washington?
It seems that Stephen Pidgeon has been quoted as saying that Monroe County is hopeless corrupt. I would like to know his views on the legitimacy of grand jury law on the books in Tennessee. Is it fundamentally flawed or just being ignored? Or is it just Monroe County that is corrupt with bossman judges and sheriffs? Has anyone been able to visit the Lt. Cmdr. and report back to The Post & Email?
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Mrs. Rondeau replies: The Post & Email left a voice message for Atty. Pidgeon last Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. PDT. We have not received a return call. I will add this to my latest report on CDR Fitzpatrick. We are seeking an individual who could visit this Wednesday and provide an eyewitness report to us on his physical situation.
That is LCDR, NOT CDR, Sharon. They’re two different ranks.