Judge protects women who posted video online

A federal judge in Massachusetts has issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the State Police from taking action against a Leominster woman for posting on her Web site a video of an arrest conducted by state police assigned to Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte’s office, the Worchester Telegram & Gazette reports.

Federal Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV ruled the restraining order will be in effect until March 2. The matter will be taken up again in federal court here on Feb. 28.

State police had threatened Web site operator Mary T. Jean with a felony charge for posting the videotape at www.conte2006.com. The video shows troopers arresting Paul Pechonis at his Northboro home on Sept. 29 and then apparently conducting a search of the premises.

February 19, 2006 | BY JONATHAN DUBE