FPC’s coverage of the prosecution of publishers Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin on charges related to Backpage.
The following contains the analysis and opinions of the author. The author does not speak for the defendants in the Backpage appeal. Briefs seeking to overturn the convictions of three ex-owners of the erstwhile classified listings giant, Backpage.com, describe a…
Over the Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit announced that it will hear oral arguments on Nov. 16 in Phoenix concerning one of the most significant First Amendment cases in recent memory —…
Prisoner Jackie is demure chaos. One half Peruvian, one half Mexican, Jackie’s parents produced a beautiful boy. But Jackie was not satisfied . . . she added breasts. Jackie is a trans cellmate who is also deaf and mute. Dealt…
Prison is a harvest of depression’s bruised fruits. A man does not share his gloom, lest a cellmate will share back. Confined for nearly three months in two different prisons in Arizona and California, I listened to no venting. I…
Jesse Lopez wants to pull on my sleeve about Jesus. Jesse was a banger and a career criminal. Before his current parole violation — a minor matter — he did 10 years — a major matter. Today he stands, a…
My cell mate, Oliver Howard, has no visitors and expects to die in prison, not believing he will survive his eight-year plea deal. He is charming . . . though hard of hearing. Guards consider him a good fellow, and…
I went to prison after a 100-count trial alleging that six Village Voice Media defendants facilitated prostitution. I was found guilty of a single count of laundering money; i.e., placing assets in a European bank. The verdict is mysterious. FBI…
It is to be a memorable day. As usual, we are waking at 4 a.m., a foolish and dark time of day. After breakfast, a group adjourns to the basketball court. It is my cellie’s 71st birthday, and he is…
The following contains the analysis and opinions of the author. The author does not speak for the Backpage defendants. On Thursday, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted journalist Michael Lacey’s release from prison pending the outcome of his…
UPDATE 11/21/24, NOON: The Appellate court today issued a ruling denying the motion in regards to Scott Spear and Jed Brunst, but granting it in regards to Lacey and remanding Lacey’s case back to federal Judge Diane Humetewa in Phoenix…
