A Busy Day in central/western MO for The Cop Block Tour
Note that the videos below are all raw (shot with my HTC Evo 5 via Cop Block’s Bambuser channel, my chest-mounted GoPro, and/or my Canon Vixia HF R10. At the conclusion of The Cop Block Tour I’ll make time to put-together some solid, over-arching videos using content from this stop. In the meantime, if you are so-compelled, you’re welcomed and encouraged to utilize this content and all other content at CopBlock.org.
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I woke on Wednesday, Feb. 6th, 2013 in my Tahoe, put some food in my belly and rolled to the headquarters for the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop I a couple miles away in Rolla, MO, intent on asking some questions related to the Sept. 11, 2012 shooting of Jeffrey Weinhaus.
After the subject of my visit was learned, I was given a two-paragraph letter that noted that “all inquires or questions regarding the criminal case involving Jeffrey R. Weinhaus be directed” to the office of Robert E. Parks: 636.538.6370, 15 S. Church, Union, MO.
The letter continued, “Missouri State Highway Patrol employees at this office cannot release any reports or comment on this case [bolded on letter].”
Still, I attempted to share my thoughts with those present- a Mr. Crain, a Ms. Kenley, and a Ms. Weisacosky.
Since I was solo, I left my Canon camera recording from the dash of my Tahoe for an additional layer of security.
Afterwards, I rolled northeast and stopped by L&S Wholesales in Bourbon, MO, where I met and spoke with Mike Arthur, who too has been targeted by area “protectors” for speaking-out against their actions.
Next stop was the MFA Oil just south of St. Clair, where Weinhaus was shot on Sept. 11th. Inside I spoke with the owner of the establishment about what went down. I’ll include some thoughts on that when I do a new overarching video on Jeffrey Weinhaus’s situation when I get off the road [while on tour I’m capturing content and uploading raw; I plan to crank out some polished videos afterwards when I have more time].
Then on to Union, where I attempted a word with Mr. Parks, who, like his cronies at Troop I, failed to provide any additional info about the Weinhaus situation. In fact, he said he wouldn’t comment until after the conclusion of Weinhaus’s three-day trial, which is set to begin on April 30th. Funny, as the paperwork I was handed earlier in the day told me that Parks was the person with whom to speak…
I continued northeast to Weldon Spring, home of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C, who’s actors conducted the “investigation” into the Weinhaus shooting.
I was met by five folks in the parking lot, who accompanied me inside to ask questions and document.
A few hours later I joined some good folks for the meetup in St. Louis. In retrospect, the meetup location – Union Station – wasn’t ideal as the train station-turned-mall shutdown at 7:30pm, which meant that those who arrived later than the 7pm start time, were unaware of our location – the second floor lobby of an attached hotel.
Still, for those present, it was a good use of time. Much props especially to Buddha, who drove three hours to join, and to Paul, who’s been active with mutual aid efforts in St. Louis and who brought a wealth of knowledge about communities throughout history that have operated without a centralized coercive monopoly of “legitimate” force (aka the police and state).
After the meetup, I called into Paradigm Shift, a podcast on Blogtalk Radio hosted by Brent Stafford and Kenny Suitter, and spoke about Cop Block and the Tour. I was fortunate to meet the pair earlier in the day when in Weldon Spring – they joined the visit to Troop C.
And later that night I met-up with Judy, Weinhaus’s wife, at a 24-hour diner, to learn a more about his shooting at the hands of Missouri State Highway Patrol employee Henry Folsom (and possibly Scott Mertens – it’s still not 100% clear if he too shot). I also learned a bit more about the personal impact on her and Jeffrey’s kids, and more background on the actions of those who swore an oath to protect. Some of that will be included on my future overarching video. Stay tuned.
If you have additional information on the Weinhaus situation please let me know. I’ll keep your input/evidence anonymous if you so desire. This solicitation and offer extends to those of you who wear badges as well. It’d be nice to see that someone working with Folsom and his cronies act according to their conscience and do what’s right. You can reach me at pete@copblock.org.
