by Jessie Lilley

An 18-year-old high school student in Winchester, KY was arrested last Tuesday (3/1/05) for making “terrorist threats.” This according to LEX 18 News online.

William Poole, a student of George Rogers Clark High School (junior year) was turned in by his grandparents no less, when they read a story he had written in his journal. According to LEX 18, Winchester police claim “they discovered materials at Poole's home that outline possible acts of violence aimed at students, teachers, and police.” According to Poole, it’s all a misunderstanding.

“My story is based on fiction. It’s a fake story. I made it up.” Poole goes on to explain, “I’ve been working on one of my short stories, the story they found was about zombies. Yes, I did say a high school. It was a high school over ran by zombies.” Over ran? Well, he is still a student.

Not to mention the fact that this young man is a citizen of the United States of America. He is of voting (hence it is assumed “legal”) age (according to the Amendments to our Constitution, Amendment XXVI in fact, Section 1) and ought to be accorded the rights granted in Amendment I of the afore mentioned document: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

But in Winchester, KY, they apparently feel the threat of an 18-year-old raising a horde of zombies and attacking a fictional high school is enough to warrant imprisonment, not to mention the third of March when the sitting judge ordered Poole’s bail raised from $1,000 to $5,000. This no doubt based on the heinous nature of the young man’s “crime,” that of writing a horror story in order to complete his class assignment. Yep. It’s a felony in the State of Kentucky. Said detective Steven Caudill, “Anytime you make any threat or possess matter involving a school or function it's a felony in the state of Kentucky.”

Damned good thing they don’t feel that way in Maine. Stephen King would be in a whole heap o’ trouble. Dontcha think? Said young Mr. Poole, “It didn't mention nobody who lives in Clark County, didn't mention George Rogers Clark High School, didn't mention no principal or cops, nothing.”

Respected Australian author Margaret Packham had this to say: “I'm surprised the US powers that be don't mount a raid into Canada and arrest Margaret Atwood for the scenario she created in The Handmaid's Tale. Ultra right wing religious nutters had overthrown the government by attacking Congress and dealing fatally with its members. Quick, better ban that book!”

The Clark County Detention Center is where Mr. Poole was being held as of March 5, 2005. I assume but cannot yet confirm that he is still there. After a flurry of phone calls today, I have the following to report as of 1 PM PST:

Tim Weldon (Winchester Sun), who was at the court house today, according to Jessica at that worthy periodical’s office, hasn't got a copy of the criminal complaint and has nothing he can share with us or fax to us. He's very sorry... 859-744-3123

Chief of Police William Jackson has his voice mail on and has yet to return my call... 859-745-7403

I have spoken with the Circuit Court County Clerk's Office at 859-737-7264. I have been informed that the William Poole case has been "held to the Grand Jury" and that court is still in session. As a result there is nothing new right now and I have been told to call back at 8 am tomorrow (presumably local time, not PST) for more information.

I am unable to find out the name of Mr. Poole's lawyer, though I am assured he has one. I am unable to get anyone to tell me if I may or may not read the story Mr. Poole has written.

According to Joe Monks at Chanting Monks Press, the grandparents' telephone number is not in service so I haven't bothered to try as Joe's a reliable source.

At 1 PM, I got off the phone with a lady named Jill in the office of George Rogers Clark High School’s Principal John Atkins. A very pleasant lady who was quite open and friendly and either had nothing to hide or will win the Oscar for Best Actress for 2005. 859-744-6111

She has no information either. I asked if she had ever seen the film Inherit The Wind.

"No."

"See it."

"Kinda like us down here?"

"Kinda, yes dear."

"Oh. Okay."

Winchester Sun