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US Air Force Engineer Charged With Sawing Down Flock Surveillance Cameras Receives Thousands of Dollars from Supporters Across the Country (futurism.com)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
29 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Link from the local news org

Link says he's charged with petit larceny, which is a misdemeanor in USA. IDK where the destruction of property charges land.

He's receiving donations for his defense from across the country.

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[–] 27 points 3 months ago (6 children)

Wonder how a jury trial would go.

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

    I read thru some of his updates. Sounded like VA offered a settlement, which was rejected by Jeffrey's legal team. NAL, but sounds like they didn't like the 1st terms offered.

    Ofc it is possible it doesn't reach trial. Many cases end in some plea agreement between the parties. I think, but not certain, that he faces felony charges, not just misdemeanors. NAL and totally making shit up, but I wonder if they might try for a plea down to only the misdemeanors.

    Juries are a crapshoot. Anything can happen. There's a Voir Dire process where each side gets to strike some # of jurors. Also, sometimes juries will the prosecution if they believe the case is being over-charged. (Edit, not literally punish ofc. I mean, lean more toward the defense).

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (4 children)

    Depending on the jurisdiction and charges it may not qualify for a jury trial. No idea if this case would.

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  • [–] 9 points 3 months ago (3 children)

    Technically it's your right to demand a jury trial. Even for civil claims.

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    • [–] 2 points 3 months ago

    Good, maybe more people should start doing this.

    Also, maybe we should start considering this and related options for areas where city/state governments have banned flock or ended their contracts, since they all seem to want to pass responsibility for removal to flock itself like it's a hot potato!

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    [–] 1 point 3 months ago

    Link says he's charged with petit larceny, which is a misdemeanor in USA

    Frenchman spotted! Lol

    Free my mans he didn't do nothing, petit or husky it doesn't matter.

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    [+] -53 points 3 months ago (19 children)

    Now he’s in jail and the cameras will be replaced in a week. Congrats I guess

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  • [–] 81 points 3 months ago (14 children)

    Everyone pack it up! Tekato has declared direct action useless. We can all stop resisting because this guy is in jail and the cameras will be replaced in a week.

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  • [–] 20 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    Is it worth noting here that several local governments want to remove the cameras, but act as if Flock has more control over their own land than they do?

    Flock, meanwhile, acts extremely entitled.

    https://www.404media.co/flock-objects-to-our-removing-their-equipment-emails-reveal-why-a-town-put-bags-over-its-flock-cameras/

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  • [+] -28 points 3 months ago (11 children)

    I didn’t call it useless, you did. It will be useful for about a week until they get replaced. That same guy could’ve instead used his military status to gather support and maybe run for mayor or governor in the future and actually make an impact, but sure, keep resisting.

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  • [–] 33 points 3 months ago (8 children)

    Hear Ye Hear Ye! Tekato has now proclaimed that electoral politics is the only acceptable pathway to change! All radical politics is wasted effort because this guy should have just run for office! Why didnt anyone ever think of that? We all must simply wait for the correct candidate to solve our problems for us!

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  • [+] -8 points 3 months ago (7 children)

    Second strawman in a row. At least this one was funny.

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  • [–] 24 points 3 months ago (6 children)

    Each of your comments is explicitly discouraging direct action and minimizing the impact everyday people can have outside the approved range of electoral politics. There's no strawmen here. I'll admit to exaggeration though.

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  • [+] -12 points 3 months ago (5 children)

    So you genuinely think going around destroying flock cameras is the right thing to do? How many have you destroyed? It better not be zero

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  • [–] [S] 9 points 3 months ago

    Now he’s in jail

    Can you provide a source for this statement please? I do not see that in the futurism link.

    In fact, it sounds like he was detained at the time of his arrest, but then released immediately. That would normally be the case for property crimes with no risk to public safety and no flight risk. July 18th, his gofundme page was talking about conversations with his neighbors. July 7th, he was talking about enjoying a camping trip in the woods. That all sounds like he is at home, not in jail.

    He will face a grand jury soon. For the non-US readers. Grand Jury is a process that determines whether criminal charges will be brought. It is meant as a check on malicious prosecution by the state. In the US, it is very easy to secure a GJ indictment, b/c no exculpatory evidence is presented. We have a famous saying, the GJ will indict a ham sandwich. Tho, sometimes they do not indict, such as the famous Sandwich Guy. If the charges are too absurd.

    Jeffrey's page suggests reaching out to Virginia and request to drop the charges. NAL, so I IDK how much impact that has. I guess it can't hurt? Anyone who does that, I strongly suggest to be polite. Do not rant. Make your argument genuinely and briefly. Whoever reads it is not bringing the charges. Rude does more harm than good.

    He has received over $41K donations as of the time of this post.

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    • 5 comments in c/privacy@programming.dev view that post
    [–] 23 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (3 children)

    I'm curious to know how a person could do what he is accused of? Like tool lists, parts numbers, expected costs. Just curious.

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  • [–] 18 points 3 months ago

    I don't actually know.

    On a completely unrelated note, have you ever seen those lithium-ion reciprocating saws? Have you ever seen those bi-metal, metal-cutting blades?

    Have you ever seen those lithium-ion angle grinders? Have you ever seen those thin cutoff wheels for them?

    Anyway, back on topic, I have no idea what might work.

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  • [–] 16 points 3 months ago

    A chain pipe cutter is a quiet mechanical device that is great for cutting pipes. This doesn't answer your question but they are interesting and relatively cheap tools for any workbench.

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    • [–] 16 points 3 months ago

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