ACLU's Charles Rust-Tierney: Case Simply Bizarre

In what amounts to the first two half-real news story on the Charles Rust-Tierney case by the Washington Post and and WDBJ, the story may be even more unsettling to some. Two dozen people, including a neighbor and his former wife, Diann Rust-Tierney spoke on his behalf, both saying they'd trust him with their kids tomorrow, yet Charles Rust-Tierney was apparently downloading images and video of the sexual torture of infants and toddlers in his ten year old son's bedroom during the night.

Prosecutors say Charles Rust-Tierney, a former president of the Virginia ACLU, was leading a "double life,'' coaching Little League baseball by day and using a computer in his 10-year-old son's bedroom to view child pornography at night.

It's also stated that Rust-Tierney was on the ACLU board up until the day he was arrested and has spent the last several years only representing the mentally ill.

"Chuck is the kindest, most gentle human being you could imagine,'' one supporter, Alexandria lawyer Phil Hirschkop, said in an interview. "I have no problem with him being with my children or grandchildren, whatever he's charged with.''

After graduating from George Washington University Law School, Rust-Tierney worked at an Alexandria civil rights law firm before joining the D.C. Public Defender Service in 1990. Since then, he has worked exclusively with mentally ill clients.

Well, what do you know, Hirschkop is a lawyer for PETA. I wonder if he'd leave him alone with his dog? Surprise - Rust-Tierney's attorneys are friends and represented sniper John Allen Muhammed.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa C. Buchanan was not swayed, saying the images found on Rust-Tierney's computer were "the most perverted and nauseating and sickening type of child pornography" she has seen in 10 years on the bench. Defense attorneys Peter D. Greenspun and Jonathan Shapiro appealed her detention order and will try again today to win their client's release on bond.

Well, Greenspun certainly knows the ropes, he also defended Maryland Rabbi David A. Kaye who made a real splash on TV.

(Kaye) told the judge that he traveled to Herndon for what he thought would be sex with a boy "as a cry out for help to fight my personal demons." Sobbing as he acknowledged his father, who sat in the courtroom in a wheelchair, Kaye said his conviction had made him face "the reality of who I am. . . . I know I need help. I pray that God allows me to get that help."

Kaye's attorney, Peter D. Greenspun, said the rabbi, who was featured last year on the "To Catch a Predator" series on "Dateline NBC," kept his sexuality secret and spent thousands of hours chatting online in search of liaisons.

Funny, one confidential source I communicated with said Chuck Tierney was quite strange and recalled at least one incident where Rust-Tierney made him uncomfortable based upon his interaction with a child - though it was said it was simply a gut feeling and nothing which rose to the level of a crime.

The case has attracted national attention, with some critics and bloggers accusing the media of downplaying the story because of Rust-Tierney's ACLU connection. He was president of the board of directors of the ACLU's Virginia affiliate from 1993 to 2005. A source close to the ACLU, who declined to be identified because of the case's sensitivity, said Rust-Tierney helped set policy and decide which lawsuits to bring but was not involved in running the organization. He resigned from the ACLU's board the day he was arrested.

Rust-Tierney's former wife, Diann, testified that she was surprised by the allegations and that he is an "excellent parent" to the couple's 10- and 18-year-old sons. Asked by prosecutors whether she has reservations about trusting him with the children, she said, "Absolutely not."

How special. Evidently she wouldn't want her ex to be alone while he's downloading images and video of kiddie porn involving the rape and torture of infants and toddlers. I mean, what the hell, it's only a movie, right?

Comments

[Jeff]

"some critics and bloggers accusing the media of downplaying the story because of Rust-Tierney's ACLU connection."

No kidding Anna Nicole is getting more press coverage. I have only heard of this story on Glenn Beck... the rest of CNN hasn't even bothered with it, and given the grotesque nature, they would normally be giving it tons of coverage. I have heard tons more about Ann Coulter's non-criminal action of calling a lesbian a faggot than of this guy...

To me this is an important story, not because its the ACLU... only because of the crime. But since the ACLU is very directly affiliated those flaming libs don't want to cover it, so that the ACLU doesn't lose their agenda because they have to cover themselves and trackback and explain why they defended NAMBLA.

I know for a fact if this was someone from the Christian Coaltion, or Focus on the Family, the media would all over it...

[Purple Avenger]

Quality folks, the whole lot. Probably all keep a box of Snickers in the glove compartment for those special occasions when they feel the need to lure a victim.

[yyy]

This has nothing to do with liberal or conservative; the community, the neighbors, the family, and friends will almost ALWAYS rally around the accused sex offender and say what a great guy he is and he he could never/never have done what he's accused of doing.

It is this reaction of disbelief that cuts across political, racial and economic lines that makes it so easy for rapists and pedophiles to get away with their crimes. The crimes are so hard to believe its easier to believe it was all a lie or mistake rather than admit some flaming pedophile who gets off on child sexual torture was your friend, neighbor or colleague.

But of course, the nutters have to make it about the ACLU and the left.

[seekeronos]

The tie-in with the ACLU is simply that the liberal media wants to protect its own (of course, as long as they stay true to the course)... because who knowss, maybe they will need to call in the favour with the ACLU one day.

The moment a CPL Sanchez abandons the Good Ship LeftyLoon, it's all hands to battle stations and let loose the dogs of the Smear.

[David M]

Trackbacked by The Thunder Run - Web Reconnaissance for 03/08/2007
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.

[Darth Malice]

Nothing to see,the ACLU,Dem Party,and MSM are locked in tight.If there is R by someone's name they go to jail.However if it's a D these groups protect their own.

[Hard Right]

The moment a CPL Sanchez abandons the Good Ship LeftyLoon, it's all hands to battle stations and let loose the dogs of the Smear.

Exactly right, Seekeronos.

[SF732]

That is Bizarre! Parents need to watch what their children are doing on the internet so people like this cant get ahold of their information. NetSmartz411.org is a good resource in helping to keep them safer.