I/WE the undersigned resident(s) of Berkshire or Hampden County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
DEMAND
that you immediately cease the malicious Prosecution of Linda Hamilton, that is ongoing in Berkshire district court in N. Adams. She is being prosecuted for defending herself when her life was threatened by an eighteen-wheeler that attempted to ram her vehicle on her way home from work, March 1, 2000. The truck is owned by Penske, the truck rental people, and driven by a Penske employee, James M. Harkins.
While fleeing from the truck, Mrs. Hamilton removed her holstered .38 Sp. from her purse, preparing to pull over and run to find a phone to call Police. (Mrs. Hamilton has a Class 'A' carry permit, which qualifies her to carry a firearm, "For all lawful purposes", this includes self-defense.) At that point, the truck backed off, and Mrs Hamilton was able to pull into a Cumberland Farms and call the State Police.
Her report of the incident was taken by a Trooper O'Hare, of the Shelburne barracks, who proceeded to chastise Mrs. Hamilton ; "...oh you shouldn't have done that..." and only reluctantly said that they would look for the trucker, who was still at large. That did not happen. MRS. HAMILTON was pulled over, by Troopers Robertson and Curran, two rookies from the Cheshire barracks, searched against her wishes, her gun taken from her, mirandized! then told she could go! (Curran and Robertson had been told by a Sgt. Potter to get Mrs. Hamilton's information, and to take the gun, "...in order to complete a criminal summons.") Two weeks later she was charged with "Assault by means of a Dangerous Weapon".
Mr. Downing,
you campaigned on the "Tough on Crime" platform, but you have interpreted this as "Prosecute EVERYBODY that is charged", wasting the already over-burdened court's time, the taxpayer's money, and stressing the capacity of the County jail system. This behavior is hard to understand in light of the fact that you ARE NOT looking into the recent rape of a Springfield woman by two out-of-control Springfield cops! It is not your purvue to protect police that make mistakes/willfully violate the law! In light of this gross dereliction of duty, I/We hereby call for your RESIGNATION!

Return to: PO Box 27, Monroe, MA 01350; or 36 Willowbrook Dr. Springfield, MA 01129

NAME	ADDRESS	COUNTY