This is the outcome of “Big Mike’s” hearing.
Official Document from the Manchester District Court.

State of New Hampshire v. John Doe
#10-CR-508 (290746C)

On January 19, 2010, the Court took an overflow arraignment from courtroom 201 in an effort to try and prevent the session going into the afternoon. The individual before the Court was identified only as “John Doe.”

The defendant elected to enter no plea and pursuant at District Court Rule 2.4, the Court entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. The defendant was offered the opportunity to apply for councel and elected not to apply as he believed it not to be necessary.

Big Mike’s arraignment will be held on the morning of Tuesday, 2010-01-19, at Manchester District Court on 35 Amherst Street. I’ve heard different times for the arraignment; it could be at 08:00 or 08:30. The court opens at 08:00 and several of us will be there then.

The phone number for the court is +1.603.624.6510.

Saturday, 2010-01-16 was an unseasonably warm day in the New Hampshire region. Because of this my roommate Mike and I figured it would be a perfect day to go live free and hold an impromptu 420 celebration at Veteran’s Park in downtown Manchester. Celebrations like the one we were planning that morning were held throughout the late summer and fall in both Keene and Manchester. These celebrations, in which the participants partake in the public and open consumption of cannabis, were left completely unmolested in every instance of them occurring in the Manchester area—that is, until that Saturday in January.

The Keene 420 that took place today was to show support for the Manchester 420 group that was taken upon by cops yesterday, where Brian Manning and “Big Mike” were arrested for smoking in Veteran’s Park. Although there’s no solid proof yet, it’s been revealed that there was some sort of meeting for the newly-elected Mayor of Manchester, Ted Gatsas, taking place right across the street—this may have been the cause for the police activity yesterday, considering how well it had been going for the 420s last year where the cops busted no one.

I spoke with Brian Manning and his account was that two undercover “law enforcement officers” came and said that they could smell the smoke, and saw them smoking earlier. At that point, several other officers showed up, outnumbering the group of activists by one.

There were several locals at the rally, and many came from Manchester to take part in the demonstration. All left without incident.

This coming Saturday, 2010-01-23, there will be a 420 demonstration taking place at Victory Park in Manchester. I’m sure the time is a given.

“Big Mike’s” court date is this Tuesday, 2010-01-19 at 08:30 in Manchester. The more people that are there, the better.

Porc411 call from Rich Paul:—

We in Keene will be protesting these arrests with our own 420 event, and discussing strategy at the Social Sunday event at Abunara’s. Brian Manning will be attending the Keene event and bringing a contingent from Manchester. Let’s get as many people as possible out there despite the short notice. Grab random stoners and tell them about this. The cops outnumbered the protesters by one yesterday in Manchester. Don’t let them outnumber us today. See you this afternoon.

An impromptu 420 rally was held on Saturday, 2010-01-16 due to the unseasonably warm weather.

According to Porc411 reports, about seven activists showed up—no signs or protesting, just people smoking and enjoying their freedom in the park. The Manchester PD showed up, too, and arrested two activists, Brian M. of Manchester, and another (“Big Mike”) who refuses to give his name to the police.

All of the activists refused to coöperate or answer any questions at the scene, and the police refused to give any information to any of the activists about why they were there, including letting anyone know what the actual charges for the arrests were.

Brian was sprung from jail several hours later on $500 cash bail. Big Mike is being held until his hearing on Tuesday, as this Monday is a holiday (ironically Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Day), and bureaucrats don’t work on holidays. It is most likely that he won’t be released until he gives his legal name to his jailers, so he could be in jail for some time.

Check the Free Keene forum thread and Mail to Jail for updates on the situation.