Brooklyn, NY -- The trial of radio host Hal Turner lead to some startling revelations which the media has barely covered. We have obtained the official Transcript of the trial and provide some details that you may find interesting.
According to Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Amy Pickett, the third highest ranking FBI Official in New York City, Hal Turner was involved in "National Security Intelligence." According to Pickett's testimony which appears in a scanned image of the official Trial transcript below, Hal Turner dealt with "National Security Intelligence, terrorism and foreign counterintelligence" while he served with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
According to Pickett, what Hal Turner did for the United States was ". . . really so serious that it cannot be handled at the local level. It has to go up to the Department of Justice."
WOW! How's that for a surprise?!
All the folks out there who thought Hal was some terrible person just got the surprise of their lives. Turns out Hal was one of the good guys! Read it for yourself in the image of Trial Transcript Pages 317 and 318 below.
But wait, it gets better. . . . .
The next scanned image (below) of Page 555 of the official Trial Transcript shows Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan told the Jury "There is no evidence in this case of any criminal activity committed by Hal Turner while he was an FBI Agent."
An FBI Agent? Whoa! Hal Turner was an FBI Agent? Looks like Asst. US
Attorney Hogan really slipped and let the cat out of the bag this time! WOW! Read it for yourself in the scanned image below.
So now that the truth is out, how is it that Hal was arrested and put on trial for doing in 2009 what he did in 2002, did again in 2005 (twice) on National TV, did again in 2007 on his web site and did again in 2008 on his radio show?
If saying a federal Judge was "worthy of death" wasn't a crime in 2002 when Hal said it on radio station WBCQ, and those same words were not a crime when he repeated them on DATELINE NBC and again a week later on "At Large" with Geraldo Rivera on FOX NEWS CHANNEL. . . . . and were not a crime when he said them about a different Judge during his radio show in 2007 or again in 2008. . . . . then how were such words a crime in June 2009 for which Hal was arrested?
The simple truth is that what Hal said in his online editorial which he posted on June 2, 2009 were not a threat. They were not a crime. The entire case against Hal is crap and the jury in his trial saw it. That's why they voted 9 to 3 in favor of acquittal.
Given these irrefutable facts, revealed under oath by officials of the FBI during Hal's trial earlier this month, when will sanity return to the system and these charges against Hal be disposed of?
A second trial is scheduled for March 1. In the meantime, it might be nice to hear from Hal's most ardent critics. What do they have to say about Hal now that it turns out what he was doing on the air was an FBI operation designed to protect America?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Brazilian Newspaper Cries "Foul" Over FBI Operative Hal Turner
UPDATED SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2009
Sao Paolo, Brazil -- This Sunday, the largest newspaper in Brazil, "o Globo" will be running a major front-page story about the continuing U.S. criminal case involving radio host Hal Turner. According to sources with knowledge of the pending story, the newspaper Fohla de S. Paolo, which is the Brazilian version of the New York Times will report this week that the United States sent ". . . . an American spy, Hal Turner . . . . to spy on Brazilians."
As reported by "The Record" newspaper of New Jersey two weeks ago, Turner was a highly trained intelligence operative for the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. During a three month investigation, the newspaper revealed it had seen government documents, e-mails, reviewed court records proving that Turner was, in fact, working for the FBI since at least the year 2003, but other government documents reveal Turner was with FBI since 1993.
Among the revelations by the newspaper, Turner was sent overseas by the FBI. One country specifically named in the newspaper was Brazil, where Turner uncovered a plot to ship non-military goods to the Iraqi-resistance who are battling US troops in Iraq.
While some doubted initial media reports that Turner was anything more than a paid informant for the FBI, eyebrows were raised by testimony given by an FBI official during Turner's trial.
Last week during trial in federal court, FBI Supervising Special Agent Amy Pickett, the third highest ranking FBI Official in New York City, took to the witness stand and stunned the courtroom when she testified "Hal Turner dealt with national security; the national security of the United States." She went on to testify that Turner "dealt with things that affected a lot of people" and applauded Turner as being "highly reliable" and an intelligence operative whose information was "very accurate." Pickett testified "When he [Turner] said something was going to happen, it did. . . . . ."
According to souces in Brazil, the Brazilian newspaper expects their story to cause a national scandal in that country because the Brazilian government was not told that the U.S. was sending a "spy" to their country. It is expected that Brazil will file a formal protest with the U.S. State Department, decrying the fact that the US Government sent "a spy" to Brazil to "spy on Brazilian citizens."
This blog will provide a link to the Brazilian newspaper story once it is published.
FAMILY OPINION
The ironic part of this entire affair is that none of this had to come out. If it wasn't for the fact that Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan and William Ridgway in Chicago were so hell bent on prosecuting an opinion as though it were a threat, none of Hal's information would now be a public spectacle.
When Hal was first arrested, he did not divulge his role with FBI publicly. Instead, Hal's attorney, Michael Orozco, disclosed the information privately to Assistant US Attorney Judson Willsy at Turner's first Bail Hearing in Newark NJ the day after the arrest. Willsy seemed aghast at the notion that Hal could ever have been with the FBI and told Orozco "That's bullshit; Hal Turner has no credibility."
Denied bail, Hal still remained totally silent about his role with FBI, figuring it would take the government time to figure things out and that all would be fixed by the time Hal was extradicted to Chicago. He stayed quiet, in jail, for 30 days.
Stunningly, when Hal got to Chicago on July 28. . . . . . more than thirty days after his arrest. . . . . Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan persisted in the lie that Hal was dangerous to the community.
Hogan demanded that Hal be remanded without bail even though by that time, records prove that Hogan knew that Hal had been with the FBI for years.
Apparently Hogan perpetuated the lie that Hal was dangerous because Hogan is incapable of admitting he made a terrible mistake bringing this case!
Now that the case against Hal has resulted in a mistrial, with a jury deadlocked 9 not guilty to 3 guilty, even more details of Hal Turner's intelligence opertions for the FBI are likely to come out. As we will soon see with Brazil, the scandals and fallout from such revelations will have an effect on the US Goverrnment.
We, Hal's family can tell you, there is a lot that will come out. It wasn't just Brazil where Hal had overseas dealings. In fact, Hal had dealings with officials from Great Britian, the British National Party and even members of the European Parliament -- all as part of his role with the FBI.
In addition, Hal performed work for an agent - who will be publicly named - from the Central Intelligence Agency; and was tasked by CIA to do something that would ultimately affect the outcome of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon 19 months later!
Yes, things are going to get pretty dicey when Hal's trial starts anew on March 1 in Brooklyn. Just remember that none of this had to come out if it wasn't for the U.S. Attorneys office in Chicago who are mis-representing an opinion as a threat and who are too arrogant to admit they made a mistake or to let go.
***** UPDATE **** The Brazilian Newspaper "Fohla de S. Paolo" has, in fact, published the story previously mentioned above. The link to the Portuguese language article is below.
http://oglobo.globo.com/pais/noblat/posts/2009/12/13/fbi-mandou-isca-ao-brasil-para-mapear-extremistas-249613.asp
Sao Paolo, Brazil -- This Sunday, the largest newspaper in Brazil, "o Globo" will be running a major front-page story about the continuing U.S. criminal case involving radio host Hal Turner. According to sources with knowledge of the pending story, the newspaper Fohla de S. Paolo, which is the Brazilian version of the New York Times will report this week that the United States sent ". . . . an American spy, Hal Turner . . . . to spy on Brazilians."
As reported by "The Record" newspaper of New Jersey two weeks ago, Turner was a highly trained intelligence operative for the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. During a three month investigation, the newspaper revealed it had seen government documents, e-mails, reviewed court records proving that Turner was, in fact, working for the FBI since at least the year 2003, but other government documents reveal Turner was with FBI since 1993.
Among the revelations by the newspaper, Turner was sent overseas by the FBI. One country specifically named in the newspaper was Brazil, where Turner uncovered a plot to ship non-military goods to the Iraqi-resistance who are battling US troops in Iraq.
While some doubted initial media reports that Turner was anything more than a paid informant for the FBI, eyebrows were raised by testimony given by an FBI official during Turner's trial.
Last week during trial in federal court, FBI Supervising Special Agent Amy Pickett, the third highest ranking FBI Official in New York City, took to the witness stand and stunned the courtroom when she testified "Hal Turner dealt with national security; the national security of the United States." She went on to testify that Turner "dealt with things that affected a lot of people" and applauded Turner as being "highly reliable" and an intelligence operative whose information was "very accurate." Pickett testified "When he [Turner] said something was going to happen, it did. . . . . ."
According to souces in Brazil, the Brazilian newspaper expects their story to cause a national scandal in that country because the Brazilian government was not told that the U.S. was sending a "spy" to their country. It is expected that Brazil will file a formal protest with the U.S. State Department, decrying the fact that the US Government sent "a spy" to Brazil to "spy on Brazilian citizens."
This blog will provide a link to the Brazilian newspaper story once it is published.
FAMILY OPINION
The ironic part of this entire affair is that none of this had to come out. If it wasn't for the fact that Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan and William Ridgway in Chicago were so hell bent on prosecuting an opinion as though it were a threat, none of Hal's information would now be a public spectacle.
When Hal was first arrested, he did not divulge his role with FBI publicly. Instead, Hal's attorney, Michael Orozco, disclosed the information privately to Assistant US Attorney Judson Willsy at Turner's first Bail Hearing in Newark NJ the day after the arrest. Willsy seemed aghast at the notion that Hal could ever have been with the FBI and told Orozco "That's bullshit; Hal Turner has no credibility."
Denied bail, Hal still remained totally silent about his role with FBI, figuring it would take the government time to figure things out and that all would be fixed by the time Hal was extradicted to Chicago. He stayed quiet, in jail, for 30 days.
Stunningly, when Hal got to Chicago on July 28. . . . . . more than thirty days after his arrest. . . . . Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan persisted in the lie that Hal was dangerous to the community.
Hogan demanded that Hal be remanded without bail even though by that time, records prove that Hogan knew that Hal had been with the FBI for years.
Apparently Hogan perpetuated the lie that Hal was dangerous because Hogan is incapable of admitting he made a terrible mistake bringing this case!
Now that the case against Hal has resulted in a mistrial, with a jury deadlocked 9 not guilty to 3 guilty, even more details of Hal Turner's intelligence opertions for the FBI are likely to come out. As we will soon see with Brazil, the scandals and fallout from such revelations will have an effect on the US Goverrnment.
We, Hal's family can tell you, there is a lot that will come out. It wasn't just Brazil where Hal had overseas dealings. In fact, Hal had dealings with officials from Great Britian, the British National Party and even members of the European Parliament -- all as part of his role with the FBI.
In addition, Hal performed work for an agent - who will be publicly named - from the Central Intelligence Agency; and was tasked by CIA to do something that would ultimately affect the outcome of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon 19 months later!
Yes, things are going to get pretty dicey when Hal's trial starts anew on March 1 in Brooklyn. Just remember that none of this had to come out if it wasn't for the U.S. Attorneys office in Chicago who are mis-representing an opinion as a threat and who are too arrogant to admit they made a mistake or to let go.
***** UPDATE **** The Brazilian Newspaper "Fohla de S. Paolo" has, in fact, published the story previously mentioned above. The link to the Portuguese language article is below.
http://oglobo.globo.com/pais/noblat/posts/2009/12/13/fbi-mandou-isca-ao-brasil-para-mapear-extremistas-249613.asp
Monday, December 7, 2009
Turner Trial Surprise: Hung Jury
Brooklyn, NY -- Radio shock-jock Hal Turner delivered a stinging upset to the federal government today when Jurors in his criminal trial told the judge they were "hopelessly deadlocked."
Expecting the jury vote to be lopsided in favor of the government, prosecutors and the judge in the case were utterly stunned when it was revealed that Jurors had voted 9 NOT GUILTY to 3 guilty!
Making this even more stunning is that Turner did not offer any defense -- his lawyers called no witnesses and presented no evidence, but instead tore into the governments own evidence and own witnesses almost totally discrediting the government's case.
Turner was arrested by the FBI on June 24, twenty days after posting on his blog that three federal judges on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals were "traitors" to the United States who "deserve to be killed" for violating the US Constitution and for intentionally ignoring a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court.
The FBI charged Turner with "threatening to assault and murder" the three judges! Turner was held in federal prison for 119 days without Bail before being released on $500,000 cash only.
The government contends that saying the Judges "deserve to be killed" is a threat to actually kill them. Turner's lawyers argued that saying someone "deserves" anything is merely an opinion. Opinions, be they oral or written, are protected free speech.
Clearly, the Jury agreed since 75% of Jurors voted NOT Guilty.
In a troubling development, one of the Jurors who voted GUILTY was interviewed by the New York Daily News and revealed something startling: Instead of applying the law as he swore to do, the Juror told reporters "[Turner] "He's a publicity seeker and he wants to be a bigger force than he was. By acquitting him, he would become bigger and stronger." (CLICK HERE FOR THE NY DAILY NEWS STORY)
It is not the role of a juror to decide to convict someone for any reason other than for breaking the law. The fact that this juror admits that another reason drove his decision shows that political considerations came into play; something that is forbidden in Jury trials.
PROSECUTOR WHINES ABOUT THIS FAMILY BLOG
In another interesting development, Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan asked the court to gag Defense Attorneys from speaking to the media and also asked the court to order this "Family of Hal Turner" blog shut down!
The judge instructed Defense attorneys to stop talking to the media but declined to order this blog shut down.
"The U.S. Attorney is clearly ashamed of his ongoing vicious assault upon freedom of speech and wants to operate in secret" said one person attending today's trial. "That's how government
goons like to operate - in secret" she continued.
We are able to tell you that the most prestigious program in broadcast TV news, "60 Minutes" had a camera crew at the Brooklyn federal courthouse today while two executive producers from that show sat in the courtroom during Turner's trial earlier this week. The fact that the most-viewed news program in the world is interested in the shenanigans taking place in this case is a good sign.
We wonder what Assistant US Attorneys William Hogan and William Ridgway will do when they arrive at work one day to a "60 Minutes" news crew asking them why they are prosecuting an American citizen for uttering an opinion.
It ought to be fun to watch them try to squirm their way out of that on national TV!
JUDGE HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO TOO
What makes the Turner case so astounding is that federal district Judge Donald Walter who is presiding over the case, turned his back on more than 40 years of Supreme Court case law and allowed the case against Turner to proceed.
It is long settled in the USA that advocating violence is lawful as long as it is done in a context which does not lend itself to imminent lawlessness. That precedent was established in the case "Brandenberg v. Ohio" back in 1969 and has been rock-solid free speech case law ever since.
We suspect that "60 Minutes" might ask Judge Walter if he chose to ignore "Brandenberg" because his knickers are in a twist over the nasty remarks Turner made about his fellow judges.
Birds of a feather. . . . .
Hal Turner's trial has been re-scheduled for March 1.
Expecting the jury vote to be lopsided in favor of the government, prosecutors and the judge in the case were utterly stunned when it was revealed that Jurors had voted 9 NOT GUILTY to 3 guilty!
Making this even more stunning is that Turner did not offer any defense -- his lawyers called no witnesses and presented no evidence, but instead tore into the governments own evidence and own witnesses almost totally discrediting the government's case.
Turner was arrested by the FBI on June 24, twenty days after posting on his blog that three federal judges on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals were "traitors" to the United States who "deserve to be killed" for violating the US Constitution and for intentionally ignoring a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court.
The FBI charged Turner with "threatening to assault and murder" the three judges! Turner was held in federal prison for 119 days without Bail before being released on $500,000 cash only.
The government contends that saying the Judges "deserve to be killed" is a threat to actually kill them. Turner's lawyers argued that saying someone "deserves" anything is merely an opinion. Opinions, be they oral or written, are protected free speech.
Clearly, the Jury agreed since 75% of Jurors voted NOT Guilty.
In a troubling development, one of the Jurors who voted GUILTY was interviewed by the New York Daily News and revealed something startling: Instead of applying the law as he swore to do, the Juror told reporters "[Turner] "He's a publicity seeker and he wants to be a bigger force than he was. By acquitting him, he would become bigger and stronger." (CLICK HERE FOR THE NY DAILY NEWS STORY)
It is not the role of a juror to decide to convict someone for any reason other than for breaking the law. The fact that this juror admits that another reason drove his decision shows that political considerations came into play; something that is forbidden in Jury trials.
PROSECUTOR WHINES ABOUT THIS FAMILY BLOG
In another interesting development, Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan asked the court to gag Defense Attorneys from speaking to the media and also asked the court to order this "Family of Hal Turner" blog shut down!
The judge instructed Defense attorneys to stop talking to the media but declined to order this blog shut down.
"The U.S. Attorney is clearly ashamed of his ongoing vicious assault upon freedom of speech and wants to operate in secret" said one person attending today's trial. "That's how government
goons like to operate - in secret" she continued.
We are able to tell you that the most prestigious program in broadcast TV news, "60 Minutes" had a camera crew at the Brooklyn federal courthouse today while two executive producers from that show sat in the courtroom during Turner's trial earlier this week. The fact that the most-viewed news program in the world is interested in the shenanigans taking place in this case is a good sign.
We wonder what Assistant US Attorneys William Hogan and William Ridgway will do when they arrive at work one day to a "60 Minutes" news crew asking them why they are prosecuting an American citizen for uttering an opinion.
It ought to be fun to watch them try to squirm their way out of that on national TV!
JUDGE HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO TOO
What makes the Turner case so astounding is that federal district Judge Donald Walter who is presiding over the case, turned his back on more than 40 years of Supreme Court case law and allowed the case against Turner to proceed.
It is long settled in the USA that advocating violence is lawful as long as it is done in a context which does not lend itself to imminent lawlessness. That precedent was established in the case "Brandenberg v. Ohio" back in 1969 and has been rock-solid free speech case law ever since.
We suspect that "60 Minutes" might ask Judge Walter if he chose to ignore "Brandenberg" because his knickers are in a twist over the nasty remarks Turner made about his fellow judges.
Birds of a feather. . . . .
Hal Turner's trial has been re-scheduled for March 1.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Hal Turner Case Inspires Episode of "Law & Order: SVU"
Next Wednesday evening on NBC, an episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" will air. The show appears to be partially inspired by Hal Turner's case!
In ads for the show, the voice-over says "Can a patriotic radio host inspire someone to kill?"
While no one ever died because of "The Hal Turner Show," Hal is presently on trial for saying that three federal judges "deserve to be killed."
Since all "Law & Order" episodes are "ripped from the headlines," it's clear to us that Hal's case--which made national news last June--may have inspired this upcoming TV show!
In ads for the show, the voice-over says "Can a patriotic radio host inspire someone to kill?"
While no one ever died because of "The Hal Turner Show," Hal is presently on trial for saying that three federal judges "deserve to be killed."
Since all "Law & Order" episodes are "ripped from the headlines," it's clear to us that Hal's case--which made national news last June--may have inspired this upcoming TV show!
Hal Turner: FBI's Extremist Insider
The Bergen Record has published a major investigative report about Hal! After a three month investigation by two seasoned journalists, "The Record" has revealed Hal was a top intelligence operative for the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY!
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