Friday, March 19, 2010

Update on Dr. Peter Watts

Some of you may have been following the case involving SF author Dr. Peter Watts, who was stopped, searched, assaulted and arrested by U.S. border protection while attempting to cross the U.S./Canada border. Most of it is chronicled on his weblog.

When I read that Peter was the one who was charged with assault and was going to be prosecuted, I was utterly horrified, and like so many among the online writing community did what I could to offer some support for him. Today I'm saddened and sorry to say that it wasn't enough, and that Peter was found guilty. He faces up to two years in prison when he's sentenced in April.

While the media will doubtless perform their usual hatchet job, I thought I'd offer a different perspective. This is a snapshot Peter sent me last year when we briefly corresponded about some of the critters we rescue.



Peter saved this orphaned coon from starvation. Here he is feeding the little one:



I'm going to see what more I can do. In the meantime, if you guys would be kind enough to send good thoughts and keep Peter in your prayers, I'd really appreciate it.

5 comments:

  1. I could hardly believe it when I first read about his case. Now I'm very depressed. I hope he's able to appeal - and win!

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  2. I went to his blog and read it from the beginning of his ordeal.
    All I can think to say is, what the hell?
    How could something like this happen? I cannot believe the jury found him guilty. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.

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  3. Oh my goodness. He was found guilty?!? Who on earth judged it - the Queen of Hearts?

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  4. Sylvia6:02 AM

    They found him guilty because he did not obey a command and questioned the officer, which is basically resisting arrest. Big no no when dealing with the law and a quick way to screw yourself over.

    Courts suck my brother had an warrent issued and was arrested for a failure to apear in court when he in fact did and showed the sheriff the papers proving that he was there and it didn't matter that whoever did the paperwork messed up he still went to jail for no reason.

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  5. I've been following the case, and I am shocked and saddened that he's been found guilty of reacting too slowly after being punched repeatedly in the head. The wrong person was on trial, IMO. Oh, America, make us look better with the sentencing, at least. This is not justice.

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