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Title: Judge says drone was invading the privacy of the man who shot it (case dismissed)
Source:
Engadget
URL Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/28/ ... shot-drone-gets-off-scot-free/
Published: Oct 29, 2015
Author: Mariella Moon
Post Date: 2015-10-29 21:21:34 by Hondo68
Keywords: None
Views: 1895
Comments: 18
William Merideth, the man from Kentucky who shot down a drone earlier this year, told WDRB that he felt vindicated after a district judge dismissed the charges against him, even if the accuser can still take the case before a grand jury. He was originally charged for firing his gun within city limits, but the judge has decided on Monday that the drone invaded his privacy, giving him the right to shoot it. The judge came to that conclusion after two witnesses testified that the UAV flew below the tree line of Merideth's property. However, the Phantom 3 drone's owner and pilot, David Boggs, provided Ars Technica with a video back in August showing that his machine was flying 200 feet above the ground. Boggs said that the judge didn't bother looking at the video he provided, a decision that he claimed shocked even the police officers involved in the case. He told Ars:
What happened in court was unbelievable -- I don't know how to describe how I feel about it. Before [the hearing] was 20 minutes old, she dismissed the wanton endangerment charge. She said, 'I don't think anybody's life was in danger, and I'm going to dismiss that.
When I came back in and she was going to make her ruling, she didn't look at the video, she didn't look at the telemetry data, and there were no witnesses called on behalf of the state. She didn't care what the video said. She believed what the neighbor said and that the drone was below the tree line. The judge didn't look at the video, paid no consideration to the video. I'm just shocked, beyond shocked. The police officers were shocked. So in essence what she's saying is that if a news helicopter flies over your house, you can shoot it down, too. There was no regard to the truth whatsoever. None.
Boggs now plans to file a civil lawsuit, due to the shooter "doubl[ing] down on his lies." Merideth, on the other hand, said his neighbors saw the drone making previous flights over his land and believes he "was in [his] right to protect [his] family and [his] property." He also told Ars that the video doesn't show which flight the footage was from. He clarified to WDRB that he doesn't "encourage people to just go out and start blasting stuff for no reason." However, he's well aware that similar cases in the future will refer to this lawsuit -- just like that famous McDonald's coffee case -- as authorities are still figuring out the legal groundwork for drone use. 
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However, the Phantom 3 drone's owner and pilot, David Boggs
I've seen this case and news of this incident from the beginning and have read about it.
What I haven't learned yet is what was the purpose/mission of this David Boggs guy and his drone?
#2. To: hondo68 (#0)
Of course. That's how we roll. Police arrest, you are INNOCENT until proven guilty, the innocent get acquitted.
So it's kinda hard to FEAR MONGER in your cop hating ways. lol
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
#3. To: GrandIsland, hondo68 (#2)
I just found this news item with link; pardon the commercial crap.
www.wlky.com/news/Louisvi...-recording-nanny/36125532
It's is a stretch to say that it is similar to the post above, but I see it as related.
Seems like the person with the camera is the perp/criminal and that's okay with me.
#4. To: GrandIsland, pedophile protectors, kiddie porn distributors (#2)
You're happy that the police jailed the father so that the peeping tom pedophile perverts could finish their kiddie porn film of the daughter?
The judge refused to look at the film, and your copy won't be arriving in the mail!
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul#5. To: hondo68 (#0)
"David Boggs, provided Ars Technica with a video back in August showing that his machine was flying 200 feet above the ground."
Really? Hmmm. You said this back then in a WDRB interview:
“The reason we don’t have the live footage is because when we got there where the drone was shot down and a neighbor had gone and retrieved it and the SD card was gone, gone,”Boggs said.
Awwww. How convenient for you, huh?
"http://www.wdrb.com/story/29675427/drone-owner-responds-to-claims claims-of-privacy-invasion)
#6. To: hondo68 (#0)
Hope he "double tapped" the drone.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."---Romans 5:6
#7. To: misterwhite (#5) (Edited)
Would you be as supportive if this had been a government owned and operated drone snooping on you or your kids?
Nah....I didn't think so.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
In a Cop Culture, the Bill of Rights Doesn’t Amount to Much
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts#8. To: Deckard (#7)
I was taken aback by Whitey's reply too.
#9. To: Deckard (#7)
Would you be as supportive if this had been a government owned and operated drone snooping on you or your kids?Nah....I didn't think so.
Are you advocating government regulation of privately owned drones?
Don't get me wrong...If Boggs was snooping on another person's privacy he had every right to stop the drone.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."---Romans 5:6
#10. To: Fred Mertz (#8)
I was taken aback by Whitey's reply too.
Can't wait to see his reply when a pissed off guy shoots down a drone operated by some government functionary flying over his property looking for housing violations
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
In a Cop Culture, the Bill of Rights Doesn’t Amount to Much
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts#11. To: redleghunter (#9)
Are you advocating government regulation of privately owned drones?
I read very recently that the goobermint will require all drones to be registered with the FAA. I believe the policy is a work in progress as I just glanced at some news items.
#12. To: redleghunter (#9)
Are you advocating government regulation of privately owned drones?
Not at all - I am simply wondering how that poster would respond if the drone had been operated by the city or township flying over the property looking for something like housing violations.
My contention is that the poster in question would not support a mere mundane shooting down a government drone.
Don't get me wrong...If Boggs was snooping on another person's privacy he had every right to stop the drone.
I agree - and I also believe he has the right to shoot down any drone that invades his property.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
In a Cop Culture, the Bill of Rights Doesn’t Amount to Much
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts#13. To: redleghunter (#9)
...If Boggs was snooping on another person's privacy he had every right to stop the drone.
I've come to the conclusion that Boggs can say whatever he wants or his lawyer tells him to say about the purpose for flying his drone that day. I doubt it will be an honest answer.
#14. To: Deckard (#12)
I agree - and I also believe he has the right to shoot down any drone that invades his property.
I agree also.
It is impossible to ID goobermint drones from private drones; therein lies the problem.
#15. To: Deckard (#7)
"Would you be as supportive if this had been a government owned and operated drone snooping on you or your kids?"
A government drone? Flying 10 feet above the ground over my 16-year-old daughter lying by the pool? I'd help him shoot it down.
#16. To: Deckard (#12)
"flying over the property looking for something like housing violations."
Can't see those violations from the street?
Seems to me that if you need extraordinary tools to spy on a private citizen you should have a warrant.
#17. To: Fred Mertz (#14)
It is impossible to ID goobermint drones from private drones; therein lies the problem.
Let 'er rip!
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul#18. To: Deckard (#12)
agree - and I also believe he has the right to shoot down any drone that invades his property.
I take it the shooter had a lot of empty land. Meaning no close neighbors. Shooting close to other people's property could be a hazard to others. Like the old article you posted on LP of the cop who shot and killed a man accidentally trying to get rid of a bee hive.
Trust me I know a lot about bullets shot in the sky. They eventually land somewhere. Always wear your Kevlar helmet if you are near an Iraqi wedding.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."---Romans 5:6
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