YOUR COMMENTS

I would love to walk through a gauntlet of Police Officers, It would only make me feel safer. MPD you guys do one HELL of a job! Keep up the good work.

Greg- from Manchester, Your words well put. You keep up the good work. You say it was unfortunate that you couldn't be there well, the community was fortunate to have you working to protect and serve. Thank you for all that you do!
- Michelle, Manchester

Oh, Todd. If only you knew how educated I actually am on the subject. Perhaps the request for sequestration was an attempt to prevent such obvious intimidation tactics. Ever think of that? Ever think that MAYBE the defense was trying to pre-empt a mistrial? No, of course not. You assume that everything the defense does is self-serving. Why don't YOU take a look at the criminal code, court rules, and, perhaps, the CONSTITUTION. I am sure there are plain-text versions of each so that even you, a criminal justice system outsider, can understand them. Then you can defend your own "spewing of the mouth" or however you so eloquently put it.
- Lynn, Manchester

"I am admantly opposed to the death penalty. With that being said, I hope that David Addison remains in prison for the rest of his life. Not only did he rob a community of a hero, he robbed two young boys of their dad. God bless every police officer that stood up for Officer Briggs today. I happened to be at the Elliot on the day Officer Briggs died and I saw the tears in your eyes and felt your pain. You are all truly heros and you remain in my prayers daily.
- Deb Mc, Manchester" ------------------- I do hope you mean Michael K. Addison and I am so happt to see the Gang Banger Name (STYX) left out of the article. Thank You UL he is not XXXX just Defendant Addison Guilty by self addmission!!!!!!!!!!
- E J, Manchester

Frank is right of course. The people here defending a lineup of armed uniformed cops outside a public court house would be the ones who would start a lynching, and you all know it.

The cops get their respect they are due, they shouldn't be allowed to go overboard with clear and obvious intimidation, no need of it but to rouse the rabble. If they want to show something hit the streets and stop some crimes. We don't need a militarist, uniform-worshiping culture like Germany in the 30's.

Yeah I think the kid did it and I have no sympathy for him, not the point. You people don't seem to understand the downside of militarism.
- Albert M., Gorham

Oh Frank, you are such a sad individual. I feel pitty for anyone you associate yourself with because you clearly are a person who has no compassion for the loss of human life or understanding of the words loyalty, honor, devotion, dedication and brotherhood. To ask 'Why do they have to show up in uniform?'. Are you really that simpleminded that you don't see that is a sign of respect? This man loss his life wearing the badge, doing his job. They risk their lives every day, knowing that even a simple traffic stop can turn badly. I have several friends that are members of the MPD, all of the amazing people. I saw them grieve. It was heartwrenching. These men and women of our police dept, fire dept, national guard and armed forces are devoted to eachother in way that I can only wish I had the chance to experience. And as for the formality of them flanking the front entrance, again it's about respect, formality, discipline, silence and reflection. All of these are qualities that have become very clear you do not possess. My continued condolences and support to the Briggs family. Please ignore ignorant and insensitive people such as Frank. I believe that I can say with the utmost of confidence that he is the minority.
- Dawn, Hooksett NH

Have we really reached a point in time when police officers showing support for a murdered officer's family are called bullys? This is outragous! Mike was an outstanding man and police officer. The MPD was there to represent him and his family. Mike touched an infinite amount of people...family, friends, citizens, those who broke the law and police alike. Those who wish to honor him and support his family have every right to support him however they wish. Any of you who know a scrap about this case know that the MPD has been nothing but professional from the get-go. To Frank and Lynn...maybe one day you'll have had such a positive impact on ordinary folks that the streets will be lined with people to honor your family after you've been murdered...or will they? God bless the Briggs family and the MPD.
- Nate Andres, Concord, NH

having a large showing of police officers at the court house shows Mike Briggs two sons and widow that we are still there for them. Lets not forget how traumatic these opening statements are on them.. Hey Frank if your really intimidated.. stop on by and Ill give you one of my cop cards, we're actually pretty nice people..
- Vin, Rochester

It's been my experience that jurors take their duties very seriously. Having a line of cops standing outside the building isn't going to make a bit of difference one way or another. On the other hand, witness intimidation in certain neighborhoods ("snitches get stitches") is very real and can and does affect the outcome of prosecutions.
- Chris L, Manchester

I am admantly opposed to the death penalty. With that being said, I hope that David Addison remains in prison for the rest of his life. Not only did he rob a community of a hero, he robbed two young boys of their dad. God bless every police officer that stood up for Officer Briggs today. I happened to be at the Elliot on the day Officer Briggs died and I saw the tears in your eyes and felt your pain. You are all truly heros and you remain in my prayers daily.
- Deb Mc, Manchester

It is one thing to be there for support and an entirely different matter when they line both sides of the entrance way just standing there. They were not waiting in line to get in. They were lined up on both sides and people had to walk through them. If they want to be there for support, that is fine. Just don't form a gauntlet line, in uniform. These guys were there for one purpose and it was a show of force. We all understand what happened and now it is in the courts hands. As I said earlier, if it was anybody else they would have been asked to disperse. But who is going to ask the police to disperse when they are the ones standing there? Again, I have no problem with them being there for the family or for the proceedings but be there for that purpose, not to present a show of force. I can't be clear enough about that. Why do they have to show up in uniform> Can't they show support for the family in regular clothing? Please. Bash me all you want but there are ways they can go about showing support, I just don't think this was the appropriate way to do it.
- Frank, Manchester

I could careless if Addison gets the chair; I want to see him behind bars for the remainder of his life. I think having to stew in prison is worse then death. Plead this out as a double life sentence and let the Briggs family have some closure instead of twenty years of appeals.
- John Melanson, Manchester

Why are the police standing outside? Because most of them can't be inside because their names are on the "potential witness list". Lame attempt to think the police would not show their support in one way or another. We will never let Mike or his family down...PERIOD.
- Monique, manchester, nh

I am not intimidated when I have to cross in front of one--or several--police officers on my way to where I am going. It might be different if I were a gangsta, a fugitive, or a foreign invader. How nice do we have to be to such people? Do the people worried about intimidation want a government that works, or do they simply want to preen about how nice they are? Should the police put on clown suits before a traffic stop, so as not to intimidate?
- Spike, Brentwood NH

Frank,

What is most disgusting about your remarks is that Officer Briggs died while serving and protecting the lives of people like yourself. What have you done to show your appreciation for his service to your community? The officers standing outside are there to honor him and to show their support to his family. Don't make it out to be more than that.
- Jane, Manchester

I wasn't going to write anything, BUT, I read Franks blog and decided that I was going to. First, I knew Michael Briggs and he was a great man. Second, as a fellow police officer I too would stand right beside the "gauntlet of police officers that lined the sidewalk". Unfortunately I had to work. Frank, you need to understand that the jury is not going to walk through the "gauntlet of police officer". I dont see anywhere in this article that says the jury had to walk through them, so stop prejudging and grow the hell up. These officers who work to protect your life are feeling the loss of one of their own and this is their way to show support. They did not go into the courtroom in uniform. You mention that if this had been a family member that this would not be allowed, you are TOTALLY wrong! How many times do you see people outside a courthouse in support of their friends? the police do not move them along, they are there to keep the peace and thats it! They are not trying to intimidate anyone but show support. What is the difference between them lining up outside in a line for support or you holding a sign outside in support of what you believe in? There is no difference. If you are so concerned with how the police department runs why dont you grow a set and join them! The day you decide to do that, will be the day you will have the RIGHT to say anything about what they do, stand for, or even how they operate! Chief Mara is doing an outstanding job! To my fellow friends at the MPD, keeping doing what your doing and be safe!
- Greg, Manchester, NH

Hey Frank, its called "BROTHERHOOD"!!!
- Jay, Manchester

to Frank & Lynn,

I have heard that the defense attorneys have sequestered over 125 MPD officers in an attempt to keep them from being in the courtroom. This is an obvious ploy to exclude them. This is simply the only way that they are allowed to be at the courthouse. They are not bully's or attempting to influence anyone, they want to be there in spite of the Defense's efforts to keep them at home. Grow up and get yourselves educated about the matter before you spew off at the mouth.
- todd, manchester

This is an extremely tragic event, Officer Briggs was a police officer, with a job the protect us all, and everyone should have respect for that. But what about the number of unfortunate people that are murdered everyday? I agree with Frank in that if Michael Addison had killed a civilian, nobody would have been lined up and down the side walks. I think there are better ways to show your respect to this officers friends and family, this isn't the way to go about it.
- KW, Hampton

First of all, in most cases like this the jurors are strictly forbidden to read the papers, watch the news, or have outside influence involving the case they are dealing with. And like someone else said, they don't enter the courthouse through the front door.The police standing in the front to show support isn't intimidating. If it were family, actually NO they wouldn't be refrained either unless they were being rowdy. It's not like they are standing there with signs saying "FRY ADDISON" across them. Give me a break, Frank.
- Rachel, Derry

manchester police lined up like marines.i wonder what would happen if the victim was a civillian and his friends and family made such an intimidateing display in the court house.i'll tell you what would happen.they would be arrested or worse by mpd.protect and serve mpd,not protect and intimidate.heroes should be humble.
- ron gearles, manchester nh

I can't wait for the verdict to be reached and Addison is found guilty and is sentenced to death. Saying the MPD is intimating people standing outside the courthouse is dumb, they are there to show respect not only for the Briggs family but all fallen officers. Frank it is ignorant for you to refer to MPD as frat boys. They risk their lives to protect society of a daily basis from the low lives that live in our society.
- Stacy, Manchester

For those of you who think that it is intimidation, you are completely wrong, what is wrong with you....They were showing support of Officer Briggs..

Get over it, hopefully justice will be served...
- Vinn, Bedford

Addison I hope you suffer and die in prison.
- Jon, Derry

I agree with Frank. A line of uniformed officers standing shoulder to shoulder along the very path that jurors use to enter the courthouse is VERY intimidating. If they were there for support and not intimidaiton they'd have been inside WITH the family, not lined up along the sidewalk.
- Lynn, Manchester

Frank,

Sorry but you are dead wrong. If it was a family member of yours that was killed would you be there for support? I think you would. Where is the bullying you were speaking of? Were they chanting or yelling? Holding signs? Calling people names? Let me tell you, if this trial were held at Fishercat Stadium, you can bet your.... that at least half that stadium would be filled with police officers on a daily basis. I plan on attending. If you don't like it, don't go.
- Bob Watson, Londonderry

Gentleman (and ladies), the only thing that matters at this point in time is the opinion of the Jurors. It's all up to them now. Jurors typically enter the courthouse through a private entrance, usually at the rear or side of the building. What they see and hear is strictly monitored. Again, the only opinion that matters now is that of the Jury. We should all relax as justice will prevail.
- Bob Ahern, Derry

So... Frank I'm guessing Frank is a liberal anti-death penalty guy? They wouldn't be there if Addison hadn't murdered a Veteran, father of two, loving husband Police Officer in COLD BLOOD.
- Phil Hubbard, Northfield, NH

Nobody is saying the officers don't have the right to be there but to have their little show of force outside is over the top. Don't the jurors have to walk in and out of the courthouse? How about the general public? Why should they have to walk through a gauntlet of police to do so? Some may view it as a sign of respect but others can easily view it as a lack of respect to the system as well.
- Frank, Manchester

Frank....you should be ashamed of your remarks. You infuriate me! Look, MPD was there in support of the Briggs family and there for their own support as well. Intimidation? I think not. Get over yourself Frank and grow up yourself would ya?

Secondly, I lived at 395 Edward J Roy Dr. when the shooting was next door at 345 Edward J Roy Dr. and that's a little too close to home. (Literally and figuratively.) That so called "gang" of Addison's always was hanging out in the parking lot making a lot of residents at Wellington Hill very uncomfortable. I hope he is found guilty, he knew he was wanted because of this previous crime when he shot Briggsie. He ran away like a coward, shooting a gun, killing a man and now he'll pay by rotting in jail or receive the death penalty. Doesn't take a PHD or a long drawn out trial to figure this one out folks....he's guilty as sin, carrying a gun around, shooting it off in apartment buildings in addition to shooting police officers. He needs to be locked up and have the key thrown away because if he's let go, he'll go out and kill someone else.
- KP, Derry, NH

Frank from Manchester: Who were the Police trying to intimidate or bully at the court house? They have the right to be there, showing support for Ofc. Briggs and his family.
- Tom, Concord

Frank - what's wrong with you?! I interpret the lineup as a sign of respect for the fallen officer not of intimidation to the murderer. If Briggs had been your son, maybe you'd feel differently. Geesh.
- winnie, manchester

MPD needs to grow up and stop their parading outside the courthouse. They were lined up on both sides of the entryway; very intimidating. If that would have been any family members in a different case, they would have been refrained from doing so. The stunt is nothing more than an intimidation factor and should not be applauded. That is a misuse of the uniform and the Chief should not allow this to happen. This has nothing to do with the trial. Simply, it has to do with common sense. Anybody walking through the gauntlet of police officers could easily conclude that the display as a display of bullying tactics and intimidation. Enough already. We are all sad that Michel Briggs was killed but the police need to grow up and stop acting like a bunch of frat boys. This was an intimidation tactic that should not be encouraged by the Chief. We all get it MPD. We all do. We know Michael Briggs was a police officer but he was more than just a police officer. Time to grow up MPD
- Frank, Manchester

So Addison had a gun tucked in his pants that he had no intention of using? Was it there for protection? From who, the Manchester Police Department? No punishment is strong enough for a career criminal like this.
- Jennifer, Baltimore

Ayotte's first gubernatorial campaign speech.
- Brian, Manchester