Wiretapping charge for man accused of recording party bust on cell phone

[MrScorpio]

By Elizabeth Dinan
[e-mail]
July 06, 2010 3:12 PM

PORTSMOUTH — A New Castle man arrested at a July 4 house party is charged with a count of wiretapping, alleging he used his cell phone to film the police response.

A press release about the party where 20 people were charged did not disclose the wiretapping arrest, but police confirmed Tuesday that Adam H. Whitman, 20, of New Castle was arrested for wiretapping. However, the charge is likely to be dismissed and/or replaced with another charge, possibly disorderly conduct or obstructing government administration, said Capt. Mike Schwartz.

The police spokesman said Whitman was “impaired by alcohol” when he was arrested and when the case was later reviewed, wiretapping didn't seem to be “a viable charge.” According to the sergeant, police continue to review the case which entails files from city police, as well as officers from the responding towns of New Castle, Rye, Greenland and state troopers.

Police confiscated two cell phones, one of them Whitman's, said Schwartz, adding that detectives are investigating where the minors got the alcohol.

“Consider the maelstrom of 30 kids, a kid passed out on the lawn and kids on the roof,” said Schwartz. “Safety was the primary concern of police. We go into it not thinking what we're going to charge them with, but how do we resolve this safely for the kid on the roof, the kid on the lawn and our officers.”

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100706-NEWS-100709886

There's a target rich environment for the cops with all kinds of passed out under-aged drunk kids all over the place, and the cops come up with WIRETAPPING charges?!?!

Something is wrong with this picture.

[hobbit709]

1. That's their new intimidation tactic

Bust you for getting them on camera.

[Rage for Order]

2. Another test balloon for the future police state

The authorities are just trying to see how much they can get away with. If they can get their foot in the door with this case they can slowly expand their power until it's illegal, for reasons of national security, to ever photograph, videotape, or otherwise record any governmental official or law enforcement officer.

[U4ikLefty]

6. Yup, just another case of "boiling the frog"

If we continue down this authoritarian road we will all be frog soup.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

3. no, sadly, that is happening more and more

it seems the police fear cameras more than guns, bombs or terrorists, and the response to photographers of all stripes has been draconian of late.
and yet, oddly enough, the same police film us with hidden cameras, dash cameras, even lapel cameras and use their tapes in prosecutions

double standard much?

equal protection under the law?

ha!

[lunasun]

4. get used to a police state & look @ how BP +police R treating citizens looking around beach disaster

[katandmoon]

5. Remember kids, in our new police state, only the government can illegally wiretap

[SeattleGirl]

7. Whatever happened to good old Minor in Possession?

:shrug:

[w4rma]

8. Maybe a law needs to be passed specifically allowing uniformed police to be recorded?

Or a law allowing the recording, by anybody, of any arrest. That recording should be admissible in a court of law for both the prosecution and the defense.

[Wilms]

9. k&r n/t