Monday, September 30, 2013

Brewington Case Covered by The Indiana Lawyer


The Indiana Lawyer published an article by David Stafford, on the Dan Brewington First Amendment Case, which is awaiting a decision on transfer to the Indiana Supreme Court. Oral Argument was held before the Indiana Supreme Court, Thursday, September 12, 2013.
Mr. Stafford begins with, “Daniel Brewington is either a poster child for the wrongful prosecution of free speech or a man whose online rants about a judge constituted criminal threats. It all depends on your point of view.”…
 
 
 

Saturday, September 14, 2013

From Putnamville Prison to the Indiana Supreme Court in Eight Days. Blogger’s Freedom of Speech Case Rests with the Indiana Supreme Court


Dan Brewington walked out of Putnamville Correctional Facility at 1:08 a.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and walked out of the Indiana Supreme Court courtroom at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2013. Brewington’s case was heard by the Indiana Supreme Court one week after Brewington was released from jail after being incarcerated for 2 ½ years. Although no one could predict the outcome at this point, the overall feeling seemed to be one of satisfaction as to how the hearing went in terms of Brewington’s case. Spectators and the attorneys involved were all smiles and receiving congratulations from people who had attended the hearing. Non legal people might be amazed at how much serious work goes into presenting Oral Argument before the Indiana Supreme Court. Besides the countless hours of research, writing and rewriting appeal briefs and arguments, Wednesday, September 11, 2013 the attorneys presented before a Moot Court (practice court) at the Robert McKinney Law School in Indianapolis. Five very busy professional people volunteered their time to become familiar with Brewington’s case and then hear argument from Michael Sutherlin and UCLA Professor Eugene Volokh. The attorneys indicated that was a valuable piece to their preparation. Dan, Matt, and Sue Brewington were invited to attend.

Thursday morning Oral Argument was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Brewington's side had 30 minutes. Professor Volokh took the first 10 minutes and Michael Sutherlin the next 15 minutes with 5 minutes being reserved for the end. Stephen Creason presented for the State. The hour went by quickly. Chief Justice Brent Dickson mentioned at the end that he was glad they had the extra 20 minutes because the subject was of importance and interest. Almost all oral argument before the court is 40 minutes, 20 minutes for each side. Brewington’s attorneys, Michael Sutherlin and Sam Adams, motioned the court for 30 minutes for each side and the motion was granted.
Below are links to reports about Dan Brewington and the process.

Tim Evans, reporter covering courts and the law for the Indianapolis Star
http://www.indystar.com/article/20130911/NEWS/309110057/Supreme-Court-hear-arguments-case-convicted-blogger?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1 Tim Evans article Indianapolis Star. Sept. 11, 2013 5:16 pm

Indiana Law Blog post – Marcia J. Oddi
http://indianalawblog.com/archives/2013/09/ind_courts_brew.html   Sept. 11, 2013

Mike Perleberg is the news editor for Eagle Country online, Eagle Country 99.3FM located in Dearborn County, Indiana and has been reporting on Brewington’s case since Brewington’s arraignment on March 11, 2011.
http://www.eaglecountryonline.com/news.php?nID=6302 Mike Perleberg’s Thursday am article 7:15am http://www.eaglecountryonline.com/news.php?nID=6308 Mike Perleberg’s Thursday pm article 1:26pm
Both posts were written on Sept. 12, 2013 (Notice the difference in the pictures. Dan lost 100 lbs. in prison by counting calories and exercising. He is keeping up the regimen now that he is at home)

Profess Volokh, posted on his blog, The Volokh Conspiracy, about his trip to Indianapolis for Oral Argument in Brewington's case.
http://www.volokh.com/2013/09/13/state-v-brewington-oral-arguments/

Professor Volokh's brief bio.
http://www2.law.ucla.edu/volokh/  
The Oral Argument in the Brewington case can still be viewed at: For those who are curious, the arguments are here: https://mycourts.in.gov/argume...

Once again the Brewington family wishes to thank everybody who has supported us in any way during this extended process. 
 
 
 

 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Dan Brewington Released from Putnamville Sept 5th/Indiana Supreme Court to Hear Oral Argument in Brewington Case Sept.12th


Dan Brewington was released from Putnamville (a medium security prison) after serving 2.5 years of his 5 year sentence. He received all time possible off for good behavior. His family picked him up very early on Thursday morning and he walked out of prison at 1:08 A.M.

The next step in his case is oral argument before the IN Supreme Court on Sept 12th at 9 A.M. Oral argument can be viewed online via webcast at https://mycourts.in.gov/arguments/default.aspx?court=sup. This information appeared on the Dearborn County Blog Thursday, Sept 5, 2013.

The Brewington family, Dan, Matt, and Sue are extremely grateful and gratified by the welcome home response from family, friends, and other supporters from our wonderful Norwood, OH community and around the country. Best wishes started to appear on facebook as we came in I 74 and when we arrived there was a banner in the front yard. Apparently there are numerous people in the country that feel freedom of speech is one of our most essential freedoms.

This picture was taken the next morning since we arrived home at 3:30am.

URL: http://www.dadsfamilycourtexperience.com/Dan%20Welcome%20home%20pic.JPG
 
 (picture appears upside down. currently working on that SAB)