MyFoxPhilly.com originally reported that authorities stated that “it is unlikely Frein would hurt the general public, because, they say, he has an unspecified grudge against law enforcement.”
But, what if it isn’t true that Mr. Frein has a grudge against law enforcement?
Accordingly to some internet posters and information being spread around Monroe County, including apparently by local law enforcement, Eric Frein’s wife was having an affair with Trooper Alex Douglas and Mr. Frein sought to kill Trooper Douglas. Unfortunately, the conjecture is that Cpl. Bryon Dickson was inadvertently shot by Mr. Frein. Here are some of the posts (which have been redacted at the request of the individuals involved):
As reflected in the above screenshots, one person says:
Talk [sic] to my neighbor last night. Told me the grapevine says he shot the trooper because the guy was having an affair with his wife.
A second person responds:
And [redacted] he killed the wrong cop the cop that was wounded was his initial target, his brother is neighbors with the wounded cop and they have issues with one another. What I’ve heard anyway from the cops that were stationed around my house. (emphasis added).
If it is truly a personal vendetta against Trooper Douglas and not the Pennsylvania State Police or local law enforcement, the PSP/FBI should inform the public of this, so that the fear and panic that has been caused by their actions can be quelled. If you have any firsthand knowledge of such a relationship, you may want to get in touch with media, who seem to be very interested in investigating this issue.
The Uproar
I must admit that I’m surprised by the vitriol arising from Joshua’s recent post about State Police action in Pennsylvania. Our staff has received death threats. Can you believe it? Death threats because we expressed an opinion contrary to theirs and in support of the Constitution. While we defend their right to free speech, and allow their negative posts to appear on our privately owned blog, their favorite epitaph for our firm seems to be “scumbags.” While most news references have been positive or neutral, those who criticize would be the first in line to cry out publicly if they were denied press access to the very same dwellings. Nonetheless, we would also support their mantra for “freedom of the press.”
It’s pretty obvious that most of the objections come from those who do not frequent our blog, and apparently don’t care about any constitutional rights. In fact, most don’t even live in Pennsylvania. What I don’t understand is where they would draw the line. In the past year, we have seen our Government abandon our brave defenders and lie about their actions to protect their political careers. The IRS has singled out a group with political views contrary to those of the current administration for delays and audits. In fact, we recently endured an unheard of audit; could that have resulted from Joshua’s political positions? When the IRS was confronted about their actions, they attempted to destroy evidence. We the people have suffered an unending barrage of attacks on our constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms, mostly by those waving a banner of unsupported facts and assumptions.
Of course, facts mean little to the liberals on attack, while assumptions that support their cause rein supreme. The murder Corporal Bryon K. Dickson is a tragedy and without question, the perpetrator must be brought to justice! While many are willing to lay down their rights to secure his capture and death, when did Mr. Fein give up his presumption of innocence? Why does everyone assume that Mr. Fein is indeed the perpetrator? Only one reason; because the State Police and press told us so. They’ve led us to believe he’s a crazed murderer wrecking havoc in neighboring communities, justifying their actions. In fact, it’s recently been revealed that the actual target may have been Trooper Alex T. Douglass, and Corporal Dickson was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Why is this important? Well it appears that Trooper Douglass might have been having an affair with Mr. Frein’s wife. If true, that absolutely does not justify Mr. Frein’s actions if he is indeed the perpetrator. It makes it no less tragic. What it does raise is the question of whether the actions by the State Police are justifiable, truthful, and well measured. If true, then Mr. Frein is not an apparent threat to the local citizens, as the State Police have already acknowledged in their original statements. He is not even an offensive threat to the authorities, although I fear some may be injured in his pursuit.
Just yesterday, Lt. Col. Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police stated: “Lethal force is authorized upon positive identification if he is not actively surrendering,” (http://abc13.com/news/accused-cop-kille ... nt/322722/). What happen to his right to trial? When did we give the State Police the right to be judge and jury? Or are they really trying to keep him quiet to protect the reputation of the troop? Maybe revenge for his actions? These thoughts are no more absurd than the image of Mr. Frein presented by the State Police and the assumptions they have made. Where’s Attorney General Holder and Mr. Sharpton?
Lastly, a word to those who believe we are “police haters” or just out to make a fee. You obviously don’t know us although, like Lt. Col. Bivens, you’re jumping to conclusions without any of the facts. Joshua frequently presents seminars for local police forces on gun law, without compensation. Most recently, Joshua defended the Sheriff of Perry County when sued by the local auditors, without compensation. We are staunch supporters of law enforcement, but that will not dissuade us from putting citizens first when they are wrong. The actions of Troop N of the Pennsylvania State Police are simply wrong. When the police authorities are wrong, we have only two choices, revolt,
Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of the citizens to keep and bear arms. [...] the right of the citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government and one more safeguard against a tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible. – Hubert Humphrey
or a law suit. Each individual victim of Troop N’s actions will find it difficult to seek redress as their individual loss, while present, may not exceed the costs of suit. There are not many attorneys truly qualified or willing to bring such a suit, but Joshua wanted the citizens to know that if their rights were violated, we would not turn them away. This is a far better solution than revolution. We do NOT want anyone to raise a gun in defense of their home. We want them to know there are alternatives.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
http://blog.princelaw.com/2014/09/25/the-uproar/