Ward Bird Support

[MikeforLiberty]

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156863574356589
State House Monday 22 from 10 to 12

[Russell Kanning]

cool

[Dave Ridley]

NH revolt feels its oats (Ward Bird)

NH revolt feels its oats (Ward Bird, guns, free)

A confident mass of New Hampshire humanity rises against judicial abuse in the Lakes Region. But the "Free Ward Bird" movement is barely a week old and has even more options than it thinks.

[MikeforLiberty]

If you like to send mail:

Ward Bird
#79985
NH State Prison
PO Box 14
Concord, NH 03302

Send large type as he is not allowed glases 
http://freewardbird.org/2010/11/let-ward-know-you-are-thinking-of-him/

Mike

[Kat Kanning]

Ward Bird
#79985
NH State Prison
PO Box 14
Concord, NH 03302

I added him to NHFP mailing list.

[SethCohn]

If folks decided to protest Ward's incarceration, I think this would be an issue where politicos and nonpoliticos could work together.  Just saying... if anyone is planning stuff, let me know...

[KBCraig]

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=c68f56d8-8f6f-4680-879f-9cd34d47d368

MOULTONBOROUGH – Supporters of Ward Bird, the local farmer and father of four serving a mandatory three-year prison term after the State Supreme Court upheld his conviction on a criminal threatening charge, are continuing their efforts to win his release.

Bird was convicted by a Carroll Country jury in 2009 of having used a gun to threaten Christine Harris, who was on his property -- which was marked with no trespassing signs -- in March of 2006.

The trial took place after Bird refused the offer of a plea deal that would have required him to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

Bird was transferred from the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord to the Carroll County Jail in Ossipee last week where, according to his wife, Ginny, he's getting restless with being kept behind bars.

"He says there are 400 cords of wood around the jail and he'd love to be out there splitting the wood instead of sitting in his cell,'' she said.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to raise funds to help pay Bird's legal expenses and provide support for his family during the holiday season.

One of the fundraisers will be a Jingle Bell Walk/Run held Saturday, Dec. 11, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Moultonborough Lions Club on Old Route 109. Individuals and teams are collecting pledges for the walk, a 1.62-mile loop, with all proceeds going to support the Bird family in its efforts to obtain his release.

Through another fundraiser, donations are being accepted at a number of area businesses in Center Harbor, where customers can write messages of support on Christmas ornaments that will be delivered to the Bird family just before Christmas.

Local musicians Erik Erskine, a prize-winning songwriter, and Harmony Markey and friends will hold a Free Ward Bird concert on Friday, Dec. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Moultonborough Academy.

Donations will be accepted at the door and pins, bracelets, signs and other materials showing support for Bird will be available.

Ginny Bird said that a group of supporters led by local builder John Tolman meets every Sunday to plan its continued efforts to win her husband's release, and that they have mounted a strong letter writing campaign to convince officials that Bird should not have to wait two years to be eligible for work release programs.

Paperwork for a pardon review has also been filed with the New Hampshire Attorney General's office.

[MikeforLiberty]

Thanks Seth. freewardbird.org is fresh daily these days. The support through the Moultonborough community is strong, signs everywhere.
At a recent rally I was told Jonathan W. Tolman has court records from the original case. I think it's very important to find out how things can go so badly in what is a minor event.

Ward has glasses now.

Ward Bird
NH Department of Corrections
PO Box 688
Ossipee, NH 03864

[Kat Kanning]

Thanks for update on ward's address

[Silent_Bob]

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=House+speaker%2c+100+others+seek+Ward+Bird%27s+release%3b+song+set+to+debut+at+concert+tonight&articleId=b9aa6b25-9e55-47d8-b23c-e005231f10a6

MOULTONBOROUGH – New Hampshire House Speaker William O'Brien and more than 100 House members have signed a petition asking Gov. John Lynch to pardon a man sentenced to prison for waving a gun to warn away a trespasser who got lost and asked him for directions.

Meanwhile, a song honoring Ward Bird, who is serving a three-to-six-year prison sentence, will be premiered at a benefit concert tonight.

His supporters argue he was within his rights when she ignored no trespassing signs.

Bird has filed a pardon application, which takes several weeks to process, but O'Brien wants Lynch to grant his release before Christmas.

Lynch has said pardons should be reserved for gross miscarriages of justice. O'Brien is meeting with Lynch Friday to discuss the situation.

The song, titled "The Measure of a Man," by singer/songwriter Erik Erskine, will be featured at the concert at Moultonborough Academy at 7 p.m., with donations accepted at the door.

The concert is presented by the Free Ward Bird Committee, which has been working to obtain his release since he started serving his sentence Nov. 17.

Bird was convicted by a Carroll Country jury in 2009 of using a gun to threaten Christine Harris, who was on his property marked with no trespassing signs in March 2006.

The trial took place after Bird refused a plea deal to a lesser charge. He appealed to the state Supreme Court, which last month upheld the conviction.

Bird was transferred from the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord to the Carroll County Jail in Ossipee two weeks ago.

John Tolman, one of the founders of the committee seeking Bird's release, said the incarceration has produced a groundswell of support expressed through rallies and a letter-writing campaign.

"Current and former chiefs of the Moultonborough Police Department, Thomas Dawson and Scott Kinmond; the sentencing judge, Hon. Steven M. Houran, and Rep. Betsy Patten (R-Moultonborough) have all stated that they do not believe Bird belongs in jail,'' Tolman said.

"This is an opportunity for people to learn more about the issues surrounding this case," said Heather Letarte of Tamworth, Bird's sister and one of the event planners. "The justice system made a mistake, and we all have to work together to right this wrong. We look forward to sharing the facts, and some wonderful music, with the community."

She said Erskine has toured nationally and released four CDs received the 2008 "Best Male Vocal Performance of the Year" award from the Los Angeles Music Awards.

Tolman said the committee plans a Free Ward Bird Caravan for Justice on Sunday, with routes through the Lakes Region, Seacoast, Franklin/Tilton, and Concord areas, before converging in Manchester. The caravan will depart from the Red Hill Irving service station at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.