New Hampshire
Charges dismissed against men over ‘Keep New England White’ banner on NH overpass
CONCORD, N.H. — A New Hampshire judge has dismissed trespassing complaints against white nationalist extremists who prosecutors say displayed “Keep New England White” banners without a permit from an overpass last July.
Two members of the group, known as NSC-131 or the Nationalist Social Club, had asked the court to dismiss the trespass complaints. The judge agreed Monday, saying prosecutors’ interpretation of the state’s Civil Rights Act was unconstitutionally overbroad.
The New Hampshire attorney general’s office had said the two men were motivated by race and trespassed on public property when they draped the banners off the highway overpass in Portsmouth.
The Anti-Defamation League describes NSC-131 as a New England-based neo-Nazi group founded in 2019 that “espouses racism, antisemitism and intolerance” and whose “membership is a collection of neo-Nazis and racist skinheads, many of whom have previous membership in other white supremacist groups.”
New Hampshire prosecutors will be filing a motion for reconsideration within the 10-day deadline, said spokesperson Michael Garrity. “The Attorney General feels this is a critical case,” he said by email on Tuesday. The Nationalist Social Club did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday.
The overpass episode began July 30, 2022 when Portsmouth police received 911 calls about the banners, according to the complaints. When officers responded, they saw about 10 men on the overpass wearing hats, sunglasses and face coverings emblazoned with “NSC-131,” or “131.” One of the men, who wasn’t wearing those items, appeared to be the leader and spoke with police.
The officers said the banners couldn’t hang from the overpass without a permit. The man gave the group instructions to remove the banners while some members continued to display the banners by hand before returning to their vehicles and leaving.
The man was accused of two civil rights violations. Another man who told police “You’re not interfering with my friends and interfering with our rights,” was also named in the complaints.
In March 2022, about a dozen masked members of NSC-131 attended South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade as spectators, and held up a banner that said “Keep Boston Irish.” Their appearance was denounced by the parade’s organizers and Mayor Michelle Wu.
New Hampshire
Man involved in NH standoff found dead following house fire, officials say
A man was found dead Thursday following a standoff and a house fire at a New Hampshire home, according to authorities.
The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal says they responded to a residence on West Main Street around 12:43 p.m. for a report of a man armed with a knife in crisis.
Multiple law enforcement agencies provided additional assistance at the scene.
According to officials, attempts were made to de-escalate the situation to no avail.
Around 5:30 p.m., investigators say they saw smoke and fire coming from the home and as the flames intensified, mutual aid was called to the scene.
Crews battled the blaze for hours and were eventually able to knock it down.
Authorities say they found the deceased man after a subsequent search of the home. His name is being withheld at this time.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to verify his identity and cause and manner of death.
Police say the death does not appear to be suspicious.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is encouraged to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office at (603) 223-4289.
No further information was immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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New Hampshire
Obituary for George Russell Benoit at Rivet Funeral Home & Crematorium Inc.
New Hampshire
4 people die from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in New Hampshire
Four people have died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a New Hampshire residence, according to officials who reported that the victims were found dead on Christmas.
The Wakefield, N.H. Police Department responded to 2962 Province Lake Road for a welfare check at around 4:21 p.m. on Wednesday.
When police officers arrived, they found four people who were dead. Investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office were requested to respond to the scene.
The names of the four victims, all adults, were being withheld pending next of kin notification.
“While the investigation remains active and ongoing, at this time, investigators believe the victims died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning,” New Hampshire officials wrote in a release.
Autopsies were scheduled to be performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Thursday to confirm the cause and manner of death for each of the victims.
“State Fire Marshal Toomey would like to remind everyone of the importance of having working carbon monoxide alarms in their homes,” officials wrote. “In the event of an alarm activation, residents should immediately exit their homes and call 9-1-1. Anyone with questions about home fire and carbon monoxide safety should contact their local fire department or the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.”
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled, according to the CDC. It claims the lives of hundreds of people every year and makes thousands more ill.
Many household items including gas- and oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills produce this poison gas.
“Install battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home,” the CDC states. “Check CO detector batteries when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall to be sure they are functioning properly… Replace your CO detector following the manufacturer’s instructions or every 5 years. Set a reminder on your smartphone or other device calendar when you purchase and install the detector.”
Anyone with information that may help with the Wakefield investigation is urged to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.
The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office was assisted at the scene by members of Wakefield Fire Rescue, the Wakefield Police Department, and the New Hampshire State Police.
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