Hill Watch: HILL ARRESTED. TACOMA IN SHOCK. . .not really
by Chris Van Vechten
Last week Robert (“the Traveller”/Jessie) Hill called to inform me that he planned to speak before the Rules and Operations Committee of the Pierce County Council. The purpose of his impending visit would be to protest a list of proposed ordinances dealing with public access television and Comcast franchises, specifically including ordinances: 2008-96, 2008-97, 2008-98 and 2008-99. Mr. Hill described all of these proposed ordinances as “bullshit” to me over the phone.
Expecting an interesting tirade, I made my way to the Pierce County Council meeting, which was being held at 930 Tacoma Ave S. But before I could even make my way to the tenth floor, I found Mr. Hill standing alone in the lobby, his hands neatly folded below his belt buckle – a somehow amused yet suppressed expression on his face.
“Are you ready for this morning,” I asked.
“Oh, I’m just waiting for the marshal’s to escort me up,” Hill replied.
Before I could fully digest Hill’s response, three imposing officers appeared behind me. One, seeing my camera, politely but determinedly obscured my view and communicated to me that my presence as a journalist was not appreciated.
From a nearby bench, I watched as Hill was placed in handcuffs and his belongings – including his signature metal briefcase – were confiscated. Turning out his pockets, the surgically gloved officer discovered, what appeared to be, two dozen or so rainbow colored condoms and related paraphernalia, all of which were promptly swept into a garbage bag. Hill did not seem to protest his arrest and the officers seemed somewhat amused by him. I didn’t get an opportunity to ask but my initial impression was that these particular officers had dealt with Hill before.
As he was led into an elevator to be taken upstairs, I made my way to room 110, where municipal records of bench warrants are stored. I asked the man at the desk if there were any outstanding warrants for Hill but everything he pulled up was old news: forgery (May 2008), driving with a suspended license in the third degree (Sept. 2008), Hill’s rap-sheet was extensive and labyrinthine.
There was nothing mentioned however, related to the supposed “death threats” that KIRO News reported Hill had made against Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor last week. (FYI, Congrats to KIRO for their amazing video montage.)
November 17th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
How long must they oppress our hero?
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November 17th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
you should do a follow up and find out what is happening to him! Like, send someone down to the jail house NOW to see what’s the newest word and gossip around Hill-town.
Too bad you didn’t at least get his face before turning your camera off! That KIRO news report was hilarious, showing all the crazy-face pictures of Hill, in all his bearded and clean-shaven glory.
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Electric Elliot Reply:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
@Jen Drake, Yeah, I wonder if we could get an in jail interview.
They really shouldn’t have made Chris turn the camera off. That’s bs.
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RR Anderson Reply:
November 17th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
@Electric Elliot,
Where is Joe La Sac when you need him!?
I hope Mr. Hill doesn’t end up in “Gitmo”
the KIRO news report is an interesting piece of propaganda. I wonder if the police supplied all the freaky mugshots. It’s like THEY want you to think The Traveller is an axe murderer or something. That’s wac.
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Electric Elliot Reply:
November 17th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
@RR Anderson, After working at KIRO radio, it’s no wonder they made him out to be that way. These companies thrive on juicy murderers.
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November 17th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
That KIRO video, AHAHAHAHAHAH
They just keep showing the same mugshots over and over.
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November 17th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I had an email exchange with Mr Hill the week before the election asking for “Ten minutes” to be on our show. (Equal Time)I respectfully declined and he wouldn’t let go. SO, I wrote him that he has a penchant for the sensational and I didn’t want to hurt KLAY OR Equal Time by being a sounding board for his bullshit.
Out of the goodness of my heart, I took his call and he immediately launched into his tirade about Paul dying and that would make HIM Sheriff…..Turns out he went to the Auditors office AND the Sheriff’s office talking about the same thing.
There has been a huge up-tick in death threats against Barack Obama since the election, I just don’t do that kind of idiotic bullflop on our show, I don’t think it’s funny and I don’t think it’s productive.Mr Hill almost gave Mr Huntington a heart attack by threatening to sue the station and a whole bunch of other insane ranting. He has since called the station three or four more times threatening to sue them. I don’t think that is funny or entertaining. If this guy wants to go through life with his pants down around his ankles masturbating, it’s his choice. I don’t give a rip. There are lines you don’t cross, threatening to sue me because of his big mouth is where that line is drawn. I gave him a chance and he screwed me. Screw you jessie/bob/ traveler. He has uttered the last incoherent word he’s ever going to on MY show.
The one saving grace in all of this is that the TV story appeared on KIRO 7 news, so nobody saw it.
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Chris Van Vechten Reply:
November 17th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
@Franktheliberal, most of the people I know in politics are insane. Hill is just less good at hiding it than most.
He told me he was going to sue you guys, I just ignored it. I was actually interviewing Eyman in Muckleteo when he called to rant about it. Told him I didn’t have time to deal with it then cuz I was with Eyman. He said “that’s understandable, when you get done talking with him, give me a call.”
We’re working on a documentary about Hill – a full length film. I’d like it to not only be about him, but also the city we call home and the many freaks who inhabit it. Thing is, working with Hill, it’s hard to script things or to find the climax.
KLAY is our favorite radio station (after NPR, BBC and Rush of course.) Keep up the good work Frank!
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RR Anderson Reply:
November 18th, 2008 at 1:24 am
@Franktheliberal,
“The one saving grace in all of this is that the TV story appeared on KIRO 7 news, so nobody saw it.”
ha ha!
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November 17th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Hey! Chris is more “arrestable” than me right now because I’ve got a thesis draft due this week.
I think mugshots ALWAYS look freakish. It doesn’t matter whether you’re innocent or not – being processed institutionally makes you think you’re guilty just because you’re there.
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Chris Van Vechten Reply:
November 17th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
@Joe La Sac, Chris is NEVER more arrestable than anybody. Chris doesn’t want to be anyone’s bitch but Jen.
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November 17th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
@Joe La Sac
I address you sir because I presume that you more than most know a thing or two about the rights of independent media when showing up to the scene of breaking news involving law enforcement activity. I’ve seen your You-Tube videos and was really interested in the story concerning your confiscated camera just prior to the DNC and the RNC.
First, do the Police really have legal precedent to order Van Vechten to stop recording? And second, what precedent is that? It seems to me that there ought to be few things more appropriate for film than the enforcement of law. If laws are indeed being legitimately and appropriately enforced then nothing to hide right?
Finally, what ever happened with your camera and the charges against you (presuming you can talk publicly about this)? I tried to follow that story but lost track during the chaos of the elections.
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Joe La Sac Reply:
November 18th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
@marumaruyopparai,
Thank you first of all
Secondly, I wish there was a clear cut answer to that. But most of the laws are specific to each municipality. Public streets are given, but I tried searching the Tacoma Municipal Code (available online) for regulations regarding film/photography inside City Council meetings or City Hall but I couldn’t find it.
Honestly I don’t think Tacoma has really sat down and defined the code regarding film and photography in public places like where Chris was. Presumably it’s OK, but some cities require permits if you’re going to take up a certain amount of space or something. I know, it sounds like BS because it is. It’s also BS that the rules are not easy to find.
I did get the camera back, and left for the DNC and RNC. But I was then arrested at the RNC and the camera was taken again by police. My charges were dropped from the RNC, but I still have a trial for criminal trespassing in Tacoma.
Thanks for looking out
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November 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Too funny….Chris, I thought you were going to be sitting next to the Traveler after what the officer said.
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Chris Van Vechten Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 12:10 am
@Eric Choiniere, Again, I am NEVER going to jail for Robert or Jessie Hill!
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November 23rd, 2008 at 12:39 am
I can’t really tell whether you all really do worship this guy or if you just find him amusing enough to keep covering him. In any case, it’s pathetic. Rather than try to persuade you, I’ll just say this: Wait until you have children one day. That’s all I’m going to say (use your own imagination). Wait until.
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Alex Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:44 am
Actually, let me retract those comments, as I realized the irony in what I just said…you all…having children…
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Electric Elliot Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
@Alex, That resembles a very negative statement about individuals you have no knowledge of. While your opinion about Mr. Hill (and even everyone else’s comments on The Melon) is very appreciated, negativity with no backing holds no merit.
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August 25th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Mr. Hill was arrested for violating a no contact order against the campaign manager of Tacoma Initiative #1.
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