The ACLU-NH and Union Leader Corporation moved to intervene and filed a legal brief in this public records case on October 22, 2020. Here, the ACLU-NH and Union Leader are seeking disciplinary records concerning the actions of former Claremont police officer Jonathan Stone that led to his termination, and the personnel records of Mr. Stone concerning internal affairs investigations with sustained findings. Here, the public interest in disclosure is both compelling and obvious. The requested records depict sustained misconduct performed by an officer relating to that officer’s official duties. This alone justifies disclosure. This compelling public interest in disclosure is further enhanced by the fact that Mr. Stone is a current City councilor in Claremont and a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Moreover, the records would help the public evaluate how the City supervised, investigated, and disciplined Mr. Stone, as well as learn why the City agreed to keep any misconduct secret. In short, in this historic moment of conversation about police accountability nationally and here in New Hampshire, government agencies should take the position of accountability, not secrecy, concerning one of its officers who engaged in wrongdoing.
On December 7, 2021, the Court denied Mr. Stone's injunction request. The ACLU-NH/Union Leader filed their public brief requesting disclosure on September 1, 2022.
In an October 7, 2022 order, the Superior Court ordered the disclosure of this information. A final order was issued in the case on January 11, 2023. Stone appealed, and the ACLU-NH/Union Leader filed their brief on September 5, 2023 before the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
On March 20, 2024, the New Hampshire Supreme Court agreed that this information should be released. The records produced following this decision are here.