A freelance journalist, who has worked on political campaigns, was arrested by Hartford Police Wednesday as he took photos of Gov. M. Jodi Rell's inaugural parade in downtown Hartford.
Ken Krayeske, who worked on Green Party candidate Cliff Thornton's campaign for governor against Rell, was near the corner of Ford and Pearl Street photographing Rell's inaugural parade when, according to the police report, he was identified as a "political activist" and a threat to the governor. Krayeske was arrested and charged with breach of peace and interfering with an officer.
Norman A. Pattis, one of the state's best known criminal defense and civil rights attorney, called the charges "ridiculous." Pattis entered an appearance on Krayeske's behalf Friday in Hartford Community Court where Krayeske was arraigned and entered a Ânot guilty plea.
Now the case will automatically be transferred to Hartford Superior Court. Where "we expect it will be nollied or dismissed," Pattis said.
According to the police report, plainclothes Hartford Police Officers recognized Krayeske from a photo they were given by the State Police Central Intelligence Unit that "briefed us on possible threats to Gov. Rell by a political activist."
Krayeske was working as a freelance photojournalist at the time of the arrest Wednesday. He was previously arrested in 2003 for demonstrating against the war. In 2004 Krayeske worked on Ralph NaderÂs presidential campaign and in 2005 he traveled to Syria to report on the war. He has also contributed stories and photos to CTNews Junkie.
After he was in custody Wednesday, he was taken to police headquarters where he was put in an interrogation room. Hartford Police Sgt. Andrew Weaver read Krayeske his rights then attempted to interview him.
"The accused refused to be interviewed and asked for his lawyer, so he was taken to booking and charged with breach of peace and interfering with an officer," the report states. Krayeske was given an eyebrow raising $75,000 bond and taken to state lockup on Lafayette Street.
Krayeske didn't make bond, but nonetheless was released at 1 a.m. on a promise to appear in court Friday.
This is now the talk of the state among those in the media as everyone is carefully watching this story.
You can read more about the situation here, here, here, and here.
I can't recall a time where something like this happened in Connecticut and everyone is looking for answers. Krayeske is not a threat, he's a freelance journalist who worked for Cliff Thornton's campaign who was there to take pictures of the governor. This whole incident is very disturbing and will be investigated.
I'm really sorry to be kind of off the grid right now but this is a VERY serious case and it's getting stranger by the second. The AP and Hartford Courant are digging into the case while bloggers are doing what they can to provide information to the public as quickly as possible.
I encourage everyone to keep an eye out for this case.
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On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
