Cortana passed away in my arms this afternoon. She was the sweetest dog, and it was a wonderful 12+ years growing up together. I’m heartbroken, but relieved she’s at peace. Some of our moments together: https://tonywebster.com/cortana
As this ranch owner subpoenas Google trying to unmask his anonymous critic who said he “abused police resources,” it seems to me that saying someone “abused police resources” is protected opinion. But that’s just my protected opinion, man. https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/ranch-owner-in-corner-crossing-case-sues-to-unmask-critic/article_31d3b69e-17ad-11ee-97a4-bfb01ac230c8.html
Earlier this month, Hennepin County, Minn. filed a motion to dismiss my public records lawsuit seeking data about the use of trespass notices to ban people from libraries under threat of arrest and prosecution. Here’s my opposition brief, filed today: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23815483-webster-20230517-memo-in-opp-to-motion-to-dismiss-hennepin_redacted
Just finished my last final exam! Only 7 credits left to graduate. I'm heading up to the mountains to spend however much time I have left with my dog in the calm of nature (we're at week 9 of “two weeks to live”) and then I'm going to Italy, Austria, and Slovakia for a couple months while studying for the LSAT.
Civil rights attorneys studying Twin Cities law enforcement actions against protesters in 2020-2021 are looking to talk to anyone who might have been injured. This could assist in the release of more body camera footage. https://forms.office.com/r/TrS7g20s5e
Sources: Fox is prepared to disclose details from an "oppo file" on Tucker Carlson if he attacks the network; it includes workplace conduct complaints and more (Rolling Stone)
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/fox-news-tucker-carlson-secret-dossier-oppo-file-1234723855/
http://mediagazer.com/230425/p19#a230425p19
I filed an amicus brief at the Minnesota Supreme Court today in a case where police searched an attorney's files and computer. I argue that in these situations, the court needs to appoint a special master instead of letting police search privileged documents themselves. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23784961-state-v-mcneilly-amicus-brief-of-tony-webster
This from the Chauvin opinion is quite significant: “We hold that a police officer can be convicted of second-degree unintentional felony murder for causing the death of another when the officer uses unreasonable force constituting third-degree assault to effect a lawful arrest.”
This morning Derek Chauvin lost his appellate case. The Minnesota Court of Appeals analyzed 12 issues brought on appeal, deciding against Chauvin on each one, and ultimately upholding his conviction and sentence while creating new case law. https://mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/Appellate/Court%20of%20Appeals/Standard%20opinions/OPa211228-041723.pdf
PBS has not tweeted from its main Twitter handle since April 8, after Twitter labeled it "Government-funded Media", and says it has no plans to resume tweeting (Sara Fischer/Axios)
https://www.axios.com/2023/04/12/pbs-twitter-government-funded-label
http://mediagazer.com/230412/p20#a230412p20
I’m a journalist, photographer, and software engineer. I cover civil rights, policing, and surveillance technology.