Editorials & Other Articles

Demeter

(85,373 posts) Sun Apr 19, 2015, 07:16 AM Apr 2015

Mailman who landed gyrocopter at Capitol sent back to Florida, barred from D.C.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-gyrocopter-court-appearance-20150416-story.html

The Florida mail carrier accused of landing a gyrocopter outside the U.S. Capitol was charged in federal court Thursday and has been barred from returning to the District of Columbia or flying any aircraft, officials said.

Douglas Hughes, 61, was charged with violating aircraft registration requirements, a felony, and violating national defense airspace, a misdemeanor. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to three years in prison for the felony and one year in prison for the airspace violation.

He was released on his own recognizance Thursday and will be placed on home detention in Florida, prosecutors said...

Well, at least he isn't lying in a pool of his own blood on Pennsylvania Avenue...

11 replies

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Mailman who landed gyrocopter at Capitol sent back to Florida, barred from D.C. (Original Post) Demeter Apr 2015 OP

Barred from DC? They say that like it's a bad thing. leftofcool Apr 2015 #1

I don't get how he is barred from traveling to DC without having been tried. merrily Apr 2015 #2

Because it is the Capitol, maybe? leftofcool Apr 2015 #3

I think the Constitution applies in D.C. merrily Apr 2015 #4

I am sure he did agree to this. leftofcool Apr 2015 #5

The District of Columbia is basically an Oligarchy. onehandle Apr 2015 #6

Our DC reminds me of the Vatican leftofcool Apr 2015 #7

Yes, but it is still part of the US. merrily Apr 2015 #9

Separate but equal. onehandle Apr 2015 #10

I thought gyrocopters were 'people' LastLiberal in PalmSprings Apr 2015 #11

Washington Post article with additional details... PoliticAverse Apr 2015 #8

leftofcool

(19,460 posts)

1. Barred from DC? They say that like it's a bad thing.

Reply to Demeter (Original post)

Sun Apr 19, 2015, 07:31 AM

Apr 2015

merrily

(45,251 posts)

2. I don't get how he is barred from traveling to DC without having been tried.

Reply to Demeter (Original post)

Sun Apr 19, 2015, 08:06 AM

Apr 2015

Anyone know?

leftofcool

(19,460 posts)

3. Because it is the Capitol, maybe?

Reply to merrily (Reply #2)

Sun Apr 19, 2015, 08:27 AM

Apr 2015

Notice, they did not say he was barred from the State of Maryland, just DC.

merrily

(45,251 posts)

4. I think the Constitution applies in D.C.

Reply to leftofcool (Reply #3)

Sun Apr 19, 2015, 08:48 AM

Apr 2015

I know very little about criminal law. Jailing people before trying them is allowed. Maybe he agreed to this, instead of being jailed?

I guess, bottom line, I don't care that much. Obviously, he is guilty.

leftofcool

(19,460 posts)

5. I am sure he did agree to this.

Reply to merrily (Reply #4)

Sun Apr 19, 2015, 08:49 AM

Apr 2015

Home detention and barring from DC vs waiting in jail until your trial.

onehandle

(51,122 posts)

6. The District of Columbia is basically an Oligarchy.

Reply to merrily (Reply #4)

Sun Apr 19, 2015, 09:04 AM

Apr 2015

The proof is the fact that their 'Representitive' is not allowed to vote for its people's wishes in Congress.

It has a bigger population than Wyoming and is not allowed to become a state.