Mistrial Declared in Antonio Buehler Free Speech Appeal
by John Bush
A mistrial was declared yesterday in Antonio Buehler’s appeal trial for his March 13th, 2013 arrest in Gonzalez, TX. Buehler, who was court watching at a friend’s trial, was arrested for telling a police officer to “go F*** yourself”. The officer had just escorted him out of the courtroom and told him he would be arrested if he returned.
Buehler was eventually found guilty on the charge of disorderly conduct and fined $1 by a Gonzalez jury.
Buehler appealed that verdict and at his trial yesterday, shortly after jury selection, the judge in the case declared a mistrial. The reason? The judge told the jury that the trial was the result of an appeal, a statement which is against a Texas rule for appelate courts which bars judges from discussing prior proceedings.
The new appeal trial is scheduled for March 30th and 31st, over two years after the original arrest.
This isn’t the only legal matter Buehler is currently facing. He is also standing trial in Austin, TX on February 23rd for a failure to obey the order of an officer charge he received in association with his copwatch activities.
Buehler, who has been fighting the police for 3.5 years in what he referred to as a marathon, recognizes how hard it is to get even a taste of justice. “It has become clear to me that in order for people to see justice within the syste they need to have tremendous resources in terms of connections, finances, and time”, said Buehler.
Thanfuly for Buehler, his intellect and community has allowed him the resources necessary to fight back.
He is suing the City of Austin and every officer who took part in his New Years Day 2012 arrest where he berated a pair of officers for aggresively handling a young woman. He was later found not guilty for the charge associated with that arrest. His civil suit takes place March 2nd at the Federal Courthouse in Austin, TX.
Buehler knows his legal battles and lawsuit will not bring down the police state, he is hopeful however that his efforts will make a difference. Buehler told The Liberty Beat, “I am hopeful that through these cases can set precedent and embarrass the police just enough to help protect some people in the future from being abused.”
Stay tuned to the Liberty beat for in depth coverage of Antonio Buehlers ongoing legal battles.
