Aitken’s sentence commuted
Getting word that Christie has pardoned him. From facebook:
Governor Christie has commuted Brian’s sentence and he will be home before Christmas
Good. Though I did have my doubts about a politico from NJ doing something good for guns.
ETA: Commuted. Not great but probably the best he could have done.
December 20th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Wonderful! Thanks for posting this late-breaking news. And, I’ll add my thanks to Governor Christie (R).
December 20th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Michael Bane has the Great! news also.
December 20th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
It’s a commuted sentence though, he’s still a felon at this point.
I expect a court case to come of this.
December 20th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Excellent news.
“Though I did have my doubts about a politico from NJ doing something good for guns.”
And in the past, those doubts would have been justified. Christie seems to be a whole new ball of wax.
December 20th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
I asked on FB “A pardon is not the same as commutation, right? Which did he get, and what will it mean for his rights going forward?”, and see that D2k has an answer. Thanks!!!
December 20th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
He’s still a felon. He should have fucking pardoned him.
Why is it so tough for people to do the right thing. This wasn’t even a difficult call.
December 20th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
“Getting word that Christie has pardoned him”
You are getting the wrong word.
Think of it this way, Unc:
pardon=forgive one of a crime
communtation=letting someone out of jail/prison early
December 20th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
He ALMOST did the right thing. I’m sick and tired of these damn politicians and their damn laws.
December 20th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
We are a nation of laws, Robert. This is good news. It isn’t the best news. Brian appealing and getting the law ‘refudiated’ in court is almost as good as a pardon. In some ways it is better. For all we know it is Aitken’s preference. Let’s hope for that outcome.
December 20th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
As near as I’ve seen – the commutation is what Mr. Aitken has been asking for.
I’m glad to see that he’ll be home for christmas.
December 20th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Is there a place to send money for the appeal? I’m good for what I would have spent on lunch for the week.
Y’all?
December 20th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Christie just commuted his sentence…not a full pardon. Hope that gutless politician has seen the end of his political aspirations…..
December 20th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
That’s a more interesting question. Per Wayne LaPierre’s note on the NRA page, the NRA was kicking in for the appeal as well.
Contact Evan Nappen, I suppose
December 21st, 2010 at 12:08 am
Ian, thanks, I’m interested in giving the bux as directly as possible to Aitken’s attorneys.
December 21st, 2010 at 12:36 am
“…will be released as soon as administratively possible.”
Which means they can jack him around all week, keeping him wondering until (and past?) the last minute. Just because they can.
December 21st, 2010 at 1:24 am
I would feel bad that he is still a felon but in new jersey the state treats everyone like a felon… To bad the governor did not have the balls to go all out off the libs with a big fuck you by pardoning the guy….
December 21st, 2010 at 5:30 am
It’s a right, not a crime.
December 21st, 2010 at 8:40 am
@Fuz, Evan Nappen is Brian’s attorney currently (and generally considered to be the authority on NJ gun law; he wrote a couple of books on the subject, incidentally).
Everyone else – before going off on Christie, check to see what Brian asked for – he may not have wanted a pardon, as it requires admitting guilt and woul dprobably moot any suit or appeal he’s got going.
December 21st, 2010 at 9:45 am
“ETA: Commuted. Not great but probably the best he could have done.”
I don’t buy that. He still won’t be able to own a gun, etc. However Ian Argent has a good point.
December 21st, 2010 at 10:48 am
Ian, I can accept that argument.
Its a shame a free man was arrested for not breaking an unconstitutional law, and has been partially forgiven for that “crime”.
December 21st, 2010 at 10:56 am
It is a Damn shame. If he wants to properly correct it, though, he can’t admit guilt. Which a pardon necessarily does.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Christie is any great friend of gun owners. But I am not going to pillory him for freeing a man unjustly imprisoned.
December 21st, 2010 at 11:34 am
Does having a commuted sentence prevent a future pardon?
The plan may be commute now, appeal, then seek a pardon only if necessary.
December 21st, 2010 at 11:43 am
Christie can’t pardon him without an admission of guilt.
Admission of guilt = no appeal.
no appeal = no chance to strike down this law.
December 21st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
which is interesting… Christie NOT pardoning him is doing a favor to the gun community. If he had pardoned him, it would have saved face and prevented a lawsuit. Makes us wonder if Christie is on our side or believes that they can’t lose the court case. If THAT were the case, he wouldn’t have commuted.
December 21st, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Look at it this way: If Christy had pardoned him, then he would forever be adjudged guilty. As he wasn’t pardoned, he can move forward with clearing his name, and in the process, also repeal, revoke, or otherwise find the law to be worthless.
December 22nd, 2010 at 12:23 am
Seems to me then that it’s time we open our wallets again to give Mr Aitken every chance to succeed.
Again, I’d rather give directly to his attorney than through intermediaries.