Published Again

In the eyes of the law, Bullock got a fair trial

By Express-Times Letters to the Editor
on August 28, 2015 at 1:08 PM, updated August 28, 2015 at 1:09 PM

In response to Steve Wilson's letter ("Bullock trial should have been handled on state or federal level," Aug. 10), the trial was held in state Superior Court. Sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault are not federal crimes.

So much moral indignation about this case. It is not at all surprising that there are conspiracy theories about "collusion" and "corruption" on the county level because the judge in the case once worked as a prosecutor where the defendant also served as sheriff. The crime, as described, occurred within the jurisdiction of Warren County. Vicinage 13 is very small. Why not call everyone who ever received a favorable verdict in northwest New Jersey a kiddy rapist? Mass hysteria and jumping to conclusions feels good but it hurts victims.    

The jury was tasked with putting an 86-year-old man who requires a wheelchair and breathing tube in jail for 90 years. The accuser had a criminal record, including time in prison in Wisconsin. This case was lost for one reason: First Assistant Prosecutor Michael McDonald put forward not one unimpeachable shred of evidence to support the accuser's case.

In the eyes of the public, Edward Bullock is guilty as sin. Under the law, he got a fair trial. Not guilty does not mean innocent. Please educate yourself about the law before tarring and feathering an actually innocent man next time.

Erik B. Anderson

San Diego, Calif.

Formerly of Independence Township

LTTE: Public officials see ‘threats’ everywhere

Public officials see ‘threats’ everywhere

View full sizeAP Photo | MATT ROURKE

Warren County Sheriff David Gallant essentially says he “can’t tell” what a threat is anymore because of the rise of social media websites (“Threats to judges taken seriously in age of Facebook and Twitter, authorities say,” Feb. 24).

Oh, how easy it is for public officials to blame their own ignorance on some indescribable patina of mystification descending on us all by a strange new mysterious phenomena.

Blah, blah, blah. Bollocks, I say.

There’s no confusion about what a threat is. Look it up. This is a serious issue that needs to be clarified, quick.

Last week a man in Cincinnati was ordered by a judge to post a groveling apology to his wife on Facebook because of a previous post that said “all you need to do is say that you’re scared of your husband or domestic partner and they’ll take (your child) away.”

That’s political speech. A judge ordered a man around for it. Not an isolated incident.

Concerned citizens need to vent, but the Violence Against Women Act ensures an accused man will be punished even if the accusation turns out to be false.

In most cases, judges are immune from prosecution, even if their erroneous decisions profoundly harm families.

And if it’s in family court? The watchdog eye of the media is forbidden to ever know what happened.

This is pure insanity. If we are made to be afraid to vent by easily offended ignorant public officials, it’s time to have them removed from office.

ERIK ANDERSON

Independence Township

Published: Monday, February 27, 2012, 4:21 AM

Old crime drawing interest in the New Year - Warren Reporter - 1/1/10

I found this in the Tillie Smith file at the Hackettstown Historical Society the other day:

click here for a better view of the article

It is the same article that was in the Warren Reporter blog on NJ.com December 6, 2010. I did the interview the day before Thanksgiving. I am glad to see that several typoes in the piece that went out on the front page (under the fold) of the weekly county paper had been corrected.

Not a bad way to start off the New Year!

Warm Regards,

Erik B. Anderson

Independence Township, New Jersey

Established 1782

More about Free James Titus:

http://freejamestitus.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/freejamestitus

http://www.myspace.com/freejamestitus

He fought the good fight, he kept the faith.

Erik B. Anderson - Belvidere Cemetery, May 21, 2009

On November 8, 2008, after the Belvidere War Memorial Veteran's Day Ceremony, I saw a small house for sale about 100 yards from this great tomb. I inquired about buying it, even though I was not employed and my income was just a disability check. I also inquired about the story of who was buried at this place. Unfortunately, the house was sold when I returned in December, but I did get this letter:



I think it's pretty cool. Don't you?

Warren County is full of forgotten history.

Warm Regards,

Erik B. Anderson
Independence Township, New Jersey
Established 1782