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Hostage-taker back in handcuffs days after release

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By CLYNTON NAMUO
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent

Leeland Eisenberg, who took hostages at Hillary Clinton’s Rochester headquarters in 2007, was arrested yesterday for probation violations related to his monitoring equipment.

(An editorial) Plain crazy: Hostage taker released
'Keep this man under lock and key right now' (4)
Hostage crisis ends peacefully (10)

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YOUR COMMENTS


Michael D. Houst - before you call the law enforcement officials morons, you really should get some facts. As "concerned" indicated, you should watch the news broadcast on WMUR. This equipment is like plugging a lamp into a wall outlet. It's that simple. He was let out because his sentences were complete - it's not the county attorney, prison officials, county officials or the probation officer's fault. A plan was developed to provide the best possible, and most strict supervision available because his jail sentences were finished - he was coming back into the community. Your other statements about him just being mentally ill (as it should be some type of excuse), his actions being a "political protest," and no one was directly threatened -- they are ignorant and (taking a word from you) moronic. How would you have felt (or continue to feel today) if a loved one of yours was in that office at the time of the "political protest."
- greg, Dover

It is a shame that people dont look at the overall picture of this man's history. He was in prison for rape, escaped from prison and raped again. Union Leader December 2004, "Rundles said Eisenberg's criminal history began in Massachusetts in 1978 when he was convicted of possession of a knife, then assault with a deadly weapon in 1981. That was followed by "a couple of theft-related offenses" in Florida in 1981 and 1982, burglary and larceny in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1982, and then a conviction for rape in Worcester, Mass. in 1985, for which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. During his time in the Bay State, Eisenberg was known as Ralph Woodward, Rundles said.

Eisenberg escaped from jail in 1986, Rundles said, and while out committed another rape and an assault with a deadly weapon. He was convicted on both charges. He was also convicted in New Hampshire of failure to report as a sex offender in 2005 and had various domestic violence charges this year, including a conviction for stalking this summer."
Before we call the people in charge of protecting the community morons; we should get more information about how difficult the restrictions were. See the news report on channel 9 at 6:00 last night? Doesn't seem that difficult. Thanks to all the Probation Officers that help keep the streets safe. Seems like they did their job. I applaud them.
- concerned, dover

Deb, Derry: I"m with you. His family has apparently written him off and is getting off with a 'free pass'. That isn't right. When are we going to demand that family stand up and take responsibility for their own?
As long as the State steps in a assumes responsibility without placing responsibility first on the family and then following through with financial penalties we are going to see this type of stupidity continue.
- Sandy, Thornton

If this was a crazy woman, not only would she have tons of special government help (inside and outside of prison), she would probably have people around holding candlelight vigils asking for the poor woman to be freed. But yet again, this country hates men...
- Kevin, Portsmouth, NH

PJ you are 100% correct I think. He is asking for help the only way he can. But I can't help but wonder why his closest relatives are not the ones who should be getting him the help. Why is it always the burden of the state and tax payer or maybe a combination of the two? Either way he needs to be somewhere where he and others are kept safe.
- Deb, Derry

The man is mentally ill.
His hostage taking action was proven to be no direct threat to any one; but was meant as a political protest for our inadequate federal and state mental health programs. So a release after 2 years isn't a big deal.

The revocation of probation is because some moron or group of morons working for the state weren't able to see that multiple monitors for "a strict curfew", "GPS monitoring" and "frequent testing for alcohol use" were beyond Eisenberg's ability to get them all right.
- Michael D. Houst, Barrington, NH

Apparently this man still needs the help he was demanding when he held people hostage at the Clinton office. He can't handle being out in society. The state needs to put back the mental health workers that were let go from the layoffs and cut a few of the DOT workers leaning on shovels!! This man is asking for help in his own demented way and the NH Legal/Prison system can't see that. Maybe this guy is smarter than the people running this state!
- PJ LHEUREUX, WEARE

This is what happens when you lock up too many drug addicts who are not deterred by prison time.. They are overcrowded so naturally the pedophiles, rapists, and pther violent criminals are released. Let drug addicts off, they will figure it out eventually and seek help- or survival of the fittest. Lock up the scary guys, leave Joe Pothead alone..
- Beth, Raymond

I knew I should have bet with my spouse on how long it would be before Leeland was back behind bars.
- Margie S., Manchester

Poor Leeland, I feel so bad for you. I do hope you get the help you so need.
Darn those monitors are so hard to figure out how to work 'em.
- Michelle Dodge, Milford NH

i do not think he should of got out of prison. I think he should of stay in there
- a. lantz, manchester

What is wrong with our court system? A man takes people hostage, has a lengthy stand off with police on the national spotlight and is back on the street in less than 2 years. I think he must of learned his lesson.
- Adam, Newport

Who did NOT see the coming?
- Tim, Derry

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