Jury Trial Update: Jonathan Vanderhagen is Acquitted!

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(Edited)

Injustice Was Averted

It's amazing that I didn't know about this case, but I came very close to sitting on the jury. After learning about the details of this case, I'm relieved to see that Jonathan Vanderhagen has been found "not guilty".
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/father-fights-for-custody-battle-justice-after-death-of-21-month-old-son


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I was called for jury duty on the 13th of September (Friday) and was selected to sit on the jury. After examination by the defense attorney, the prosecuting attorney dismissed me. Being a father of 5 children, one a boy about 20 months old, would not have helped her case at all.

The nightmare began for Vanderhagen after he lost a custody battle for his son over two years ago, and then his son died shortly after while in his mother’s custody. He had warned the court about the mother’s history of unstable behavior, but his pleas were ultimately ignored by Judge Rachel Rancilio and the court referee. Vanderhagen believes their decision was ill-advised and possibly led to his son’s untimely death. Vanderhagen expressed his anguish on social media afterward, assigning blame toward Judge Rancilio for her role in the custody hearing. As a result, Rancilio complained about her safety, and the Macomb County Sheriff’s office charged Jonathan with malicious use of telecommunications services to protect her from Vanderhagen’s free speech.

What a Relief!

I'd like to say "Justice was served", but really "Injustice was Averted". This man was charged with "Malicious use of a telecommunications device" for posting on Facebook about the family court system, calling out Judge Rancilio specifically. She claims that she "felt threatened" by his posts and he was placed in jail for nearly 2 months before his trial.

Jonathan Vanderhagen began his crusade for truth after his 21 month old son Killian died while in custody of his former girlfriend, Killian's mother. Jonathan was warning the family court that Killian's mother was not taking proper care for him and was trying to gain full custody at the time of Killian's death. It was September 2017, almost exactly 2 years from the trial, that Killian died.


Killian Vanderhagen RIP September 2017

The "Crime" of Exposing Judicial Corruption

Jonathan went to social media to expose the corruption in family court, posting content expressing his desire to "dig up all the skeletons in this court's closet."


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Read more on Jonathan's Facebook page to see what got him in trouble:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.vanderhagen

Judge Rancillio's Own Questionable Content

Full hypocrisy, while "feeling threatened" by Jonathan's posts against the family court system, she's posting questionable material on her Pinterest account. When Jonathan exposed her Pinterest pins and comments on Facebook, why wasn't she arrested for "malicious use of a telecommunications device"? Perhaps because it wasn't directed towards any particular person. But these "funny" pins and comments clearly show her disdain toward people and could be argued (in the court of law) that she harbors murderous thoughts towards people she works with.

The evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the superabundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

I believe she has the right to post these according to her 1st amendment right to free speech, but wouldn't it be reasonable that her position as Family Court Judge be put under scrutiny?

Here is what Jonathan posted on his Facebook account exposing Judge Rancilio's dark sense of humor and potentially unstable state of mind:

Is it really appropriate for a Family Court Judge to be laughing at these memes? There are many more I didn't post because of language. You can view them below:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216321929174082&set=pcb.10216322148899575&type=3&theater

The Judge Takes the Stand

Judge Rancilio took the stand to explain her position of being threatened by Jonathan's Facebook posts.

Rancilio tried to garner sympathy in the court room earlier in the week by claiming on the stand that she received numerous death threats because of Vanderhagen’s social media posts. Rancilio had hoped an example would be made of Vanderhagen so the little people would know the consequences that resulted from speaking ill of the kritarchy. “It wasn’t just one post,” she said while attempting to produce crocodile tears. “It was a compilation of it all. … I was scared something was going to happen to myself, my children.” “The death threats I’ve been getting as a result of this stuff is horrifying. I’m terrified. It continues to this day,” she added. Rancilio’s sentiments were ultimately rejected by the jury, who found that Vanderhagen’s 1st Amendment rights were more important than her subjective feelings.
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The Jury Finds the Defendant Not Guilty

The jury deliberated for less than 26 minutes and returned with a "not guilty" verdict. I'm so glad that even though I was denied the opportunity to participate, the jury came to a fair conclusion.

Fight on Jonathan. For Killian.


Benjamin Turner: God fearer. Rooted in Messiah. Husband of @lturner. Father of four wonderful children. The guy behind the camera. Steemit enthusiast.

Bless the Most High!

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13 comments
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I had a good time in court as well. I would say you have to pay for justice.

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Thankfully in this case it didn't take a lot of money to win, I think the lawyer worked pro bono. Jonathan did spend 2 months in prison and how can anyone put a price on that.

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Thank you for your efforts in getting the public aware of this story. To imagine you almost were on the jury. Blessings and continue to be a faithful soldier in exposing truth. @ironshield

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It's amazing to even play a small roll in this story.

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Hi, @ironshield!

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the political class is beginning to be open about the fact they consider us serfs

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Wow, what a story. Glad the jury knew what was right.
Thank you for the tip on the books, my son is just the right age for these I think!

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