Gordon Lee
The following is from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund website and is about something that has been going on in Rome, Georgia – where I live. Gordon has been dealing in comics for a long time and it seems like small minded politicians want to go out of their way to bother hard working people sometimes.
Gordon Lee Trial Begins November 5, from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Website
On November 5, after three years of criminal charges, legal proceedings, and seemingly countless delays, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund defendant Gordon Lee will finally have his day in court.
Lee's trial comes after three years of legal action arising from the Halloween 2004 distribution of Alternative Comics #2, a Free Comic Book Day sampler which featured an excerpt from the critically acclaimed graphic novel The Salon that depicted Pablo Picasso in the nude, and was allegedly handed to a minor. The CBLDF has spent over $80,000 on Lee's defense since taking the case in early 2005, and expects costs to reach six figures by the end of the trial. Mr. Lee will stand trial for two misdemeanor counts of distributing harmful to minors material, and faces penalties of up to a year and prison and $1,000 in fines for each count if convicted.
"Everyone at the Fund is glad to finally take this case to trial," says CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein. "For three years Gordon has had to live with the tormenting reality of this case hanging over his head, and to suffer criminal accusations, a complete change of facts by the prosecution midstream, and numerous delays when it looked like the end was near. All for something that shouldn't have been prosecuted in the first place. We look forward to taking this case to trial, and because of the donations of the CBLDF's supporters, are confident that we have the best team possible to prove Gordon's innocence."
Outside the comics’ community, Lee's case is being closely watched by the mainstream media for its implications on Free Expression. Stories have appeared in venues including NPR's Morning Edition, CourtTV, The New York Times, The Book Standard, Publishers Weekly, New York Magazine and dozens more.
"This case has broad consequences for all retailers of First Amendment protected material," Brownstein explains. "If Gordon is found guilty, it would establish a precedent that makes anyone offering any book, magazine, or film depicting non-sexual nudity vulnerable to a similar prosecution in the State of Georgia." He adds, "We're confident that Gordon is not guilty of the charges he's accused of, and that the work in question comes nowhere near the threshold the law requires to deem a work harmful to minors."
After this there was a mistrial declared because the District Attorney brought up a previous arrest against Gordon and we all know that can’t be done. Now the DA plans to re-file the charges next year when the Grand Jury reconvenes. More tax money from the county residents and more expense to the CBLDF. Be sure to donate to them when you have a chance.
Hank Reinhardt
Armourer and science fiction fan, Hank Reinhardt, passed away due to a hospital acquired Staph infection contracted following heart bypass surgery. Reinhardt was serious student of arms and armor for 50 years.
I’ve known Hank since 1976 and we were more acquaintances than friends meeting in the hallways in conventions and playing a game of hearts or two.
He co-founded Museum Replicas, Ltd. and continued as a consultant to that company until his death. He wrote numerous articles on swords and knives, and had released two videos on the sword with Paladin Press. He will appear in the Reclaiming the Blade documentary due for release in 2008.
He was also the founder of the Historical Armed Combat Association, and co-founder of the first science fiction clubs in Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama.
With Gerald W. Page he edited the anthology The Age of the Warrior, which was released by DAW in 1979. He was awarded the Rebel Award in 1973 and was the first recipient of DragonCon's Georgia Fandom Award in 1990.
Hank was the husband of Toni Weisskopf, Senior Editor of Baen Books.