Free speech updates

The First Amendment still exists in eastern North Carolina…for now. The following reports come from WCTI-12.

Phipps' Gallows

Last week, District Attorney Dewey Hudson announced that Lacy Phipps could not be charged with anything for his display of local and state justice officials hanging in effigy in Duplin County.

Hudson was one of those represented in the gallows along with former governor and state attorney general Mike Easley, plus a local judge and sheriff among others. “What Mr. Phipps has done, although distasteful, it is protected by the 1st Amendment,” Hudson told reporters.

Phipps has had problems with a local judge system for 20 years and things got worse after the murder of his son. Phipps feels he was let down by the justice system after the accused murderer was released on a temporary insanity plea.

In Craven County, Adrian Solomon was found not guilty of disorderly conduct for booing . Last year, Solomon was arrested several days after booing the principal of West Craven High School during an assembly. Solomon has since dropped out of school and is working on his GED.

Harper's Coffin

Also in Craven County, former commissioner Bill Harper is protesting again, coffin in tow.

Early this month, Harper was stationed out along U.S. 70 with his now-infamous coffin protesting the economic policies in Washington.

Last November, Harper’s coffin was taken by Sheriff’s deputies from a polling station in James City. He says the coffin, which he has been using in his political stunts since 1992 is a fitting symbol. “It’s perfect. They’re taxing us to death. The economy is dead. The public is scared to speak up so they’re dead. The coffin is perfect.”