Overfield Conviction Reversed
Susan Overfield, the woman who was forcibly removed from a City Commission meeting after criticizing the Mayor, was convicted of disorderly conduct and misdemeanor assault.
Her convictions have been reversed. Read the Order here.
Well it’s about time! This order restores some confidence in the judicial system.
Any idea how much this will cost us in a civil suit?
I’m very glad about the ruling. I’m guessing there will be no civil suit. A victory for Liberty & Justice for All is reward enough. Thank you Susan.
As I am one out of five electeds who disagreed with the city’s position. It is nice to be in agreement with Judge Macek. As I told the Optimists Club on Wednesday, either I am right and 4 others are wrong or I am wrong and 4 others are right.
Congratulations, Susan!
LET FREEDOM RING………
I was curious whether an elected official has ever requested additional time for a speaker? Has this ever been done?
CONGRATULATIONS SUE! A victory for freedom of speech and the imposition of reasonable time limits in the exercise thereof. Susan; you deserved better than what the mayor and city commissioners did to you.
Perhaps now is the time to take another look at the animal shelter mess and the extraordinary cost the take over has been to taxpayers! I invite anyone to contact the city and ask a simple question. “How much revenue has the city received since July 5, 2007 for operating the aniaml shelter and how much has the city spent on operating the animal shelter through February 24, 2009?” You will be shocked at the answer as the answer will demonstrate a loss of well over $700,000.00 and counting.
Now the city is planning on continuing animal control (and resulting continued losses) and at the same time spend $1.7 million to complete construction of the new animal shelter. Why not put this up to a vote of the citizens in addition to voting on the safety levy? But then again, I am sure the mayor and majority of the city commission won’t support such an effort since it is highly unlikely the taxpayers would support $1,700,000.00 in taxes to go to the animal shelter boondoogle.
THANKS JUDGE MACEK!
I think she should bring a civil suit against the city, mayor, police chief, and the police officer.
great news. congratulations to susan for standing up to a petty tyrant. and thanks to you gregg for supporting her. i very much admire your great falls coverage. nice work.
We haven’t heard from Aaron yet. I’m sure he’ll opine that Judge Macek errored in her ruling.
I was there that fateful evening and I saw a terrible injustice to this lady by our Mayor and then by our police department. Finally a bit of justice for the citizens of Great Falls and Ms. Overfield. Are you listening Mayor Stebbins?
Thank you Judge Macek and a big hanging in there congratulation to Susan…..
Get rid of the plainclothes police in these commission meeting. They do more harm than good!
One more reason I admire Judge Macek! Congratulations Susan!
[...] Overfield ruling reversed; some comments about the situation over at Electric City Weblog. [...]
From what I read, and maybe there will be a lawyer to chime in, had the police officer been in uniform the decision might have gone the other way?
Because there would have been NO reasonable ambiguity about the person escorting her out?
Had the officer been in uniform the incidence probably would not even occurred. Are you listening City Hall/ Chief Corky?
I was at the budget hearing last year when the city attorney reiterated how vitally important it was to get the conviction on Susan, otherwise we would not be able to “control” citizens.
Oh, so now the meetings are out of “control”?
Perhaps someone should discuss the difference between “leadership” and “control” with our so-called “leaders”.
So important to convict as to mislead the jury.
We have one qualified leader in Mary Jolley, (Bronson?) the rest are thugs.
“Perhaps someone should discuss the difference between “leadership” and “control” with our so-called “leaders””
Next year the new commission will have its hands full cleaning house!
“Perhaps someone should discuss the difference between “leadership” and “control” with our so-called “leaders””
Next year the new commission will have its hands full cleaning house!