Re: [Harp-L] Re: Popper arrested

Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx> · Fri, 9 Mar 2007 13:03:09 -0500

*     Well, I gave the case some thought and here are my opinions.  
First of all, let me say that I agree with you. But the state of the  
law is such that the benefit shall always rest with the accused.
On Mar 9, 2007, at 10:40 AM, nonidesign@xxxxxxx wrote:
 Puberty is supposed to cure this kind of thing.
Whether he was driving or not, unless he was being kidnapped he had  
as much responsiblity for being in a car doing 111mph as the driver.

Yes, even moreso IF he was the owner. It wouldn't even have mattered  
if he was asleep (a distinct possibility on an interstate). The owner  
can be cited for 'Permitting a violation of title'. It would be the  
same penalty as the highest infraction. (In this case speeding). Now  
some states will go with reckless driving INSTEAD of speeding if the  
overage is more than 50% above the posted limit. Guessing a limit of  
70, that would mean that a speed of 106 and over would cause this  
switch.

Knowing what little I know about Oregon, I would say that this would  
be considered lesser. Wash. is a little stricter.
Imagine how much coverage this story would have gotten if they had  
hit someone and killed them.

Yes, another Anna Nicole situation. I am quite upset with Johnny and  
his crew.

I don't buy the whole emergency personal protection angle either.

Ok, keeping in mind that parts of Ore & Wash are very desolate and  
dangerous, what with the nasty nature of some of the game, and the  
possibilities of being stranded in a hostile environment with soggy  
constant rain making exposure a real threat. And inasmuch as these  
very large states have very little (comparative) population, I don't  
see a survival kit as being out of the question.
If the SUV seats 8, 4 rifles and a pistol for EACH, while seemingly  
overkill (pun intended), doesn't seem strange. Of course you will  
also need a knife. And while I don't think a taser or stun gun would  
be of much use against a Grizzley, night vision goggles would be nice  
in the woods where everything is pitch black except for a few nights  
per month. A month is a long time and what if it's over-cast.
A single weapon maybe, but four rifles, nine handguns, nightvison  
goggles, and a switchblade knife is a load carried by maniacs. What  
were they doing, looking for victims?

No an audience....giggle
As for the emergency lights & sireeen.. Depends on what set up they  
had. Accusing them of impersonating police is lame (so far) and  
impersonating an emergency vehicle is more like it. Btw, HAVING the  
equipment installed is not a crime. Using it IN a crime IS a crime.  
So, what do we have here. The marijuana was mentioned as a 'small'  
amount. Do you know what this means? It was too small an amount to  
arrest for.
Even if the handguns weren't registered, as long as they were packed  
away, they aren't illegal and since they were only found in  
connection with a search, there's no case. Btw, rifles are a 'freebie'.

And this wasn't the first time. I seem to remember a previous  
incident involving Popper getting pulled over and getting in  
trouble for having his "sword and knife collection" in his car. A  
sword, or a dagger that looks like a Klingon earpick, isn't  
personal protection...even in New York.

I agree, but again, as long as the possessor is an adult, the stuff  
is not being used in a threatening manner and was INSIDE the owner's  
property, no case. All this amounts to is a reckless driving fine and  
a possible fine for the owner. Everything else is just for 'grinns'.  
As for seizing the vehicle, it will be processed further (just to  
bust his A44) and then returned at his hearing.

I also hope Popper knows that, unlike the movies, in prison you get  
your a## kicked for playing harp.

This is true. Many prisoners hate harp because it denotes visions of  
incarceration movies where the writers persist in having someone  
playing harp. Prisoners have devised schemes to get around this.

1.... Is to use the issued tin cup (actually aluminum, and now  
plastic), and play into IT, thereby muffling the sound. The great  
Winslow has used this on several occasions. I have too.

2.... Is to turn the covers AROUND so that the sound comes back AT  
you. It's trickier to play for a tongue blocker, but then, they  
narrow the covers.

Note: Serious offender prisons don't allow harps because of all the  
sharp metal thingie pieces.
smokey-joe

-------------- Original message from "Marc Spilka"  
<marc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>: --------------

From USATODAY

Blues Traveler's Popper arrested
Blues Traveler front man John Popper was not behind the wheel, but  
was

arrested when police found weapons and marijuana in his  
vehicle. .....
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Blues Traveler singer and harmonica player  
John Popper

was arrested after the vehicle he was riding in was clocked going  
111 mph,

the Washington State Patrol said Wednesday. Popper, 39, was  
arrested Tuesday

afternoon on Interstate 90 near the Spokane/Lincoln county line, the

Washington State Patrol said.........
Inside the black Mercedes SUV, officers found a cache of weapons  
and a small

amount of marijuana, the Patrol said. A police dog searched the  
vehicle,

finding numerous hidden compartments containing four rifles, nine  
handguns

and a switchblade knife. Authorities also found a Taser and night  
vision

goggles. The vehicle was seized.
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------------------------------------------------
Next time someone requests a survey asking what gear people carry  
around

with them to gigs maybe they can respond "I love Popper and  
emulate my gig

bag on his." Drugs, guns, hell a Taser? Who does he think he is,  
an NBA

player? Paranoia is one thing, but come on. I know a bunch of  
people on

this list hate his playing but I don't think anyone is stalking  
him. Maybe

he's in a new movie, Don't Shoot the Harp Player.
marc spilka
los gatos, CA (for Mr. Compton)

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