The Knuckleheads of the Day award

Today's winners are Rowan County(North Carolina) District Court Judge Beth Dixon and Salisbury Police Officer Mark Hunter. They get the award for the following-

A Salisbury woman who was arrested in November 2009 after she refused a police officer’s order to go into her house while he was making a traffic stop nearby was found guilty Friday of resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer.

She had been videotaping the traffic stop.

Rowan County District Court Judge Beth Dixon found Felicia Laverne Gibson, 29, guilty and sentenced her to six months of probation and community service work. Gibson, through her attorney Jacob Sussman, of Charlotte, gave notice of appeal.

Dixon found Gibson had interfered with the officer’s ability to do his job as he dealt with a traffic stop.

Salisbury Police Officer Mark Hunter had been in pursuit of a vehicle and was attempting to pull it over. A passenger in the vehicle jumped from the car and was caught a short time later by other officers. Police said that suspect had drugs and a handgun.

Hunter continued to follow the vehicle to West Fisher Street, where he ordered the two occupants out of the car. Both were given citations. The traffic stop was not far from Gibson’s home.

She sat on her front porch and recorded the arrest on video. That video, which Gibson shot with a digital camera, was shown in court Friday.

Citizens are getting arrested more frequently for taping law enforcement as they go about their work. This is abuse by out of control cops and our judges more often than not rubber stamp their actions. It is just outrageous, the citizens are a check on police and judges who overstep their boundaries.

The conviction of Felicia Laverne Gibson is an outrage. Rowan County(North Carolina) District Court Judge Beth Dixon and Salisbury Police Officer Mark Hunter aren't just scoundrels for this travesty of justice, but also today's Knuckleheads of the Day.

Hat tip- The Agitator