Tony Webster @tony@mastodon.tonywebster.com

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

Skipping the festivities this year to spend time around home with Cortana. The steroids controlling inflammation around her tumors make her really warm, so we’re just doing quick visits to the dog park.

Good morning

I was in a bad mood but then the co-op had avocados in that 17-minute window of perfect creamy ripeness so I’m fine now.

Cortana impatiently waiting for her drive thru treat this afternoon. (Week 11 of “two weeks to live”—I’m really glad we’ve had this extra time together.)

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

This has been an excruciating semester but I’m now done with eight of my nine classes. One paper to go, and then I’m going to find some secluded river valley to crawl in a hammock with the pup and sleep for two days.

I got my first crypto scam mention on Mastodon. I clicked to report it, and ... the report came to me, as my instance's administrator, even though it's on mastodon(dot)social. Lord, this platform is broken.

I’m on Bluesky: @tonywebster.com

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

I realized I hadn’t posted this here, but Cortana—my dog of 12 years—was given two weeks to live almost four weeks ago. Every day is a gift, but I guess it always has been. Enjoying every last moment we have together. <3

Hey I survived my midterms. Came close to asking the Fed to bail me out, but we did it. Off to Colorado for spring break to go snowboarding and do more LSAT prep in a hot tub somewhere. Kbye.