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This Day in Legal History: Martial Law Post-Great Chicago FireOn October 9, 1871, in the immediate aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, the city's mayor, Roswell B. Mason, declared a form of martial law by handing control of the city to U.S. Army General Philip Sheridan. Though no formal martial law order was issued, Sheridan exercised sweeping authority over Chicago, including the deployment of troops and armed patrols to maintain order, protect property, and enforce curfews. The fire had devastated the city, destroying thousands of buildings and leaving over 100,000 residents homeless. Amid fears of looting and social collapse, civic leaders turned to the military rather than civil institutions to reestablish control.This decision represents a critical episode in the uneasy balance between civil liberties and emergency powers. There was no legal precedent or formal legislative act granting the mayor authority to transfer governance to a military figure, raising significant constitutional concerns. The use of military force to police civilians, absent explicit legal authorization, blurred lines between civilian and military jurisdiction. While contemporary accounts often depict Sheridan's leadership as effective, his presence underscored a mistrust in the city's own law enforcement and judicial institutions.No court review or legislative inquiry ever addressed the legality of this transfer of power, setting a troubling precedent for extrajudicial emergency actions. It also reinforced the broader 19th-century trend of informal martial law declarations, especially during moments of urban unrest or disaster. Chicago's experience in 1871 reflects how crises can be used to justify the suspension of normal legal processes, often without public accountability. This ad hoc militarization of city governance, though temporary, highlighted the fragility of civil authority in moments of panic—and how quickly constitutional norms can be cast aside.Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation. The indictment alleges he misled lawmakers in 2020 about authorizing an FBI employee to leak information related to an unspecified investigation—believed to concern Hillary Clinton. The case was brought by Lindsey Halligan, a Trump loyalist with no prior prosecutorial experience, recently installed as U.S. attorney after her predecessor was removed for refusing to pursue Trump's political adversaries.The charges are seen as politically motivated, coming after Trump publicly pressured the Justice Department to act against Comey and others. Career attorneys reportedly opposed the indictment due to a lack of evidence, and prosecutors from outside the district were brought in to proceed with the case. The move has drawn sharp criticism, including from over 1,000 former DOJ officials across party lines who labeled it an attack on the rule of law.Trump has long threatened to imprison rivals, but this is the first grand jury indictment against one of them.Ex-FBI chief Comey pleads not guilty to charges brought under pressure from Trump | ReutersA Florida man has been arrested for allegedly setting the Pacific Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, a January blaze that killed 12 people, destroyed roughly 6,000 structures, and caused an estimated $150 billion in damage. Federal investigators from the ATF, LAPD, and LAFD concluded the fire was deliberately started near a hiking trail in a state park overlooking the Palisades. The suspect faces three federal charges and will be extradited to California. Because the fire was ruled intentional and led to multiple deaths, prosecutors could pursue life imprisonment or the federal death penalty under President Trump's 2025 executive order directing harsher penalties for severe crimes.Man arrested as suspect in setting California's deadly Palisades Fire, official says | ReutersPresident Trump called for the arrest of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, both Democrats, as his administration prepared to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago over their opposition. Neither official faces criminal allegations, but both have criticized Trump's immigration policies and his use of federal troops in Democratic-led cities. Trump accused them of failing to protect ICE officers after Johnson declared Chicago an “ICE Free Zone.” Pritzker denounced Trump's remarks as authoritarian. Meanwhile, hundreds of Texas National Guard troops have gathered outside Chicago ahead of deployment, despite state lawsuits seeking to block the move. The president has also threatened to invoke federal powers to override court orders limiting troop deployments, part of a broader pattern of using federal authority against political opponents.Trump calls for jailing Democratic leaders as troops prepare for Chicago deployment | ReutersElon Musk's X Corp has reached a settlement with four former Twitter executives—including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal—who claimed they were owed $128 million in severance after being fired following Musk's 2022 takeover. The settlement's terms were not disclosed, but a federal judge delayed case deadlines to allow finalization. The executives alleged Musk falsely accused them of misconduct to avoid paying severance that included a year's salary and stock options. The deal follows a separate $500 million settlement with laid-off Twitter employees and is one of several legal disputes stemming from Musk's acquisition and mass restructuring of the company.Musk's X settles ex-Twitter executives' $128 million severance pay lawsuit | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
We have finally reached the end of our story! What really crashed outside of Roswell, NM, in the summer of 1947? This episode gives you an answer you may have never heard before. The voices in this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 10 – The Crash appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
We are SO close to the end of our story, and this episode finds the spaceships carrying our characters converging in a place and time which would become legendary. The voices in this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip – Tony [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 9 – The Ships appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In this timely episode, we hear a little more from Rion’s feminine side and catch up with Etty as she makes an interesting stop on her way to Roswell in 1947. The voices in this episode are: Jill Bailey – Feminine Rion Lynetta Zuber – Etty Alethea Hartwell – Ral, [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 8 – The Sisters appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
After a four month wait between episodes due to ceiling repairs being done to the studio, the seventh episode of our second season is finally here. This episode finds our characters still somewhere outside of Roswell in the 1930s, where they’ve landed in the world of the original Rocket Man, [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 7 – The Plans appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
This is just a quick update to our listeners explaining why there will be a little delay in the release of the next episode of Roswell B.C. It involves hail, rain, a Disney musical, and procrastination. Anyway, just listen. Here’s the link to “Ancestry”, the epic audio drama mentioned in [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Update June 2017 appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In this, the sixth episode of our 2nd season, we meet another important figure from the history of Roswell. The Rocket Man himself, Robert Goddard. The voices in this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip – Tony Souza Feminine Rion – [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 6 – The Rocket Man appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In this episode, our story has left the old West and is now rocketing into the 1930’s, where we meet two spies (one Communist and one Nazi) who are very interested in the skies around Roswell. The voices in this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 5 – The Spies appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In this episode, we find out what’s happening inside the T Squared enabled spaceships involved in their wild chase through time. The voices in this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip – Tony Souza Feminine Rion – Jill Bailey Feminine Tolip [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 4 – The Chase appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In this episode, our crew of crazy characters finally get to leave the old west, but not before one more wild scene. The voices in this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip – Tony Souza Feminine Rion – Jill Bailey Orb [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 3 – The Exit appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
It’s part two of the Audio Drama Production Podcast’s 100th Episode. Listen to part one.What advice would you give yourself before you started making Audio Drama?That’s the question that’s going to be answered by our fantastic panel of creators from some of the best shows around.Featuring input fromWe’re Alive, Radio Theatre Workshop, The Stories of Mahabharata,Contador de Historia, Hidden Harbor Mysteries, Fiona Thraille, Hadron Gospel Hour, Wooden Overcoats, Roswell B.C, Owen McCuen, Space Casey, The Cleansed, The Sting of the Dark Tower, The Vienna Jetschko Podcast, LightnighBolt Theater of the Mind, Greater Boston, The Night Keep, Jarnsaxa Rising, Alba Salix Royal Physician, Matt Leong, Shadows & Daylight, Atheist Apocalypse, & Rick Coste.
Episode 2 of our 2nd season finds our story beginning to wrap up its chapter in the world of Billy the Kid. The voices for this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip – Tony Souza Feminine Rion – Jill Bailey Orb – [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 2 – The Shots appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
Part 2 of today's Showcase brings you Roswell B.C.: an ongoing original production. Roswell B.C. is nominated for multiple awards, including Best Original Ongoing Production. This production is rated G. – The Audio Verse Awards Team Subscribe to our Nominee Showcase Podcast! Via RSS: http://www.audioverseawards.net/site/category/showcase-podcast/feed/ Via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/audio-verse-awards-nominee/id931607811 Via Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/m/Iawqhkk4gfdcud4ve3njgggfryq?t=The_Audio_Verse_Awards_Nominee_Showcase_Podcast
In the first episode of season two, we get a look at what led up to two pivotal events in the story the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid – and the roles our characters may have played in those events. The voices for this episode are: Rion – [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 2 Episode 1 – The Triggers appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
Our fourth (and last) interim minisode before we hit Season 2 takes a little closer look inside the feminine side of Trillistel’s finest private detective, Rion. It features the voice of Jill Bailey, a New Mexico native and current Austin, Texas, resident. The post Roswell B.C. – Minisode 4 – The Other Voice appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In our third interim “minisode”, we find out how Rion and Tolip first met. The voices in this minisode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Feminine Rion – Jill Bailey Young Rion – Jaden Page Young Tolip – Ezekiel Barrett Kai, the Bully – Benjamin Barrett Jaden Page also helped write [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Minisode 3 – No More Bullies appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
Our second interim “minisode” checks in at our favorite diner/spaceship fueling station. The voices in this minisode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Diner Lady – Alethea Hartwell Junior – Zack Anderson The post Roswell B.C. – Minisode 2 – Another Piece of the Pie appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
This interim “minisode” catches up with the mafia guys who, when we last left them, found themselves crash-landed on earth in 1947. The voices in this minisode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Mafia Boss – Scott Phillips Grud – Austin Beach Scott and Austin are part of an audio drama [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Minisode 1 – Didn’t I? appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In this final episode of season one, the “three years apart” adventures of Rion, Neila, Tolip, and Orb are heading for some history-making events. Plus, Rion accidentally makes a discovery which changes everything. The voices for this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 12 – The Voice appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
While at John Chisum’s ranch, Rion learns the background for what would soon become The Lincoln County War. Neila finds herself in the middle of Billy the Kid’s relationship with Chisum’s niece, Sallie. Tolip tries to outrun the law in Lincoln. And three years earlier, Orb meets the real Billy [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 11 – The Ranch appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
This episode introduces a new time twist to our already time-layered story. While Rion and Neila find themselves at the John Chisum ranch, Tolip ends up behind bars, and Orb has to make a split-second decision. The voices for this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 10 – The Slip appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
Now that the story has landed on earth, it merges with some real history through several storylines which take place in the wild and wooly New Mexico of the late 1800’s. The voices for this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 9 – The Ride appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
An unexpected turn of events causes the search for Neila’s brother, Orb, to lead Rion, Neila, and Tolip not only to the planet Earth – but also into the past. The voices for this episode are: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip – [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 8 – The Kid appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In the final chapter in space before reaching earth, Rion is having trouble communicating with both Neila and Tolip as he puts his plan into action to get the Metsys off their tail. Meanwhile, Orb finds himself in a sticky situation that puts someone else on his tail. Rion – [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 7 – The Drop appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
Episode 6 finds Rion still trying to figure out his new client while Tolip overhears one of her private conversations. Meanwhile, Orb lands on a very unusual planet. The voices in this episode: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip – Tony Souza Feminine Rion [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 6 – The Call appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
Rion, Neila, and Tolip are still trying to catch up with Orb, who finds himself in another interesting predicament. Meanwhile, Rion calls a meeting with Neila’s parents to see if she’s been telling the truth. The voices in this episode: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 5 – The Parents appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In this episode, Rion has to make a difficult decision concerning their new passenger and, in the process, begins an interesting transformation. The voices in this episode: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – Lynetta Zuber Tolip – Tony Souza Redir – Curtis Michaels Feminine Rion – [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 4 – The Rival appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
In this episode of our intergalactic audio drama, Roswell B.C., Rion, Neila, and Tolip have to decide what action to take as they come across a ship in distress while they try to catch up with Neila’s brother, Orb, who is in the middle of a dangerous situation as well. [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 3 – The Passenger appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
The second installment of our intergalactic audio drama, Roswell B.C., follows Rion and Neila on the first leg of their attempt to find Neila’s brother. Even at this stage of the story, danger is not far behind. The voices in this episode: Rion – Kyle Bullock Neila – Devon Bullock Etty – [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 2 – The Tail appeared first on boydbarrett.com.
Our intergalactic audio drama, Roswell B.C., begins with the arrival of a beautiful new client at the offices of Rion, a private detective of the typical noir variety, yet with a locational twist. The case this client brings with her takes Rion on a trip across two galaxies and finally [...] The post Roswell B.C. – Season 1 Episode 1 – The Dame appeared first on boydbarrett.com.