A bit late, but interesting nonetheless.... http://www.amasci.com/weird/wsotw.html John Hutchison's Web Page NEWS FLASH POSTED SATURDAY, 18 MARCH 2000 John Hutchison Raided At Gunpoint By Canadian Police -- CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE Reporting From Shreveport, Louisiana UNITED STATES Word has been received this morning, Saturday, 18 March 2000, that John Hutchison has been raided at gunpoint by Canadian Police. John's apartment in New Westminster, British Columbia, was raided at 2 PM Friday, 17 March 2000, by gun-wielding police searching for firearms. An antique gun collection owned by Hutchison was confiscated in its entireity. According to Hutchison, a phone call was received at about 2 PM Friday, stating that it was the police, and asking John to answer his door. Hutchison states that there were 8 to 10 individuals pointing weapons at him, only two or three of whom were in uniform. The rest were dressed in dark clothing. Hutchison was handcuffed and placed on the outside steps while police searched the apartment. No warrant was claimed or shown at any time. Police stated only that there had been an anonymous complaint that firearms were being brought into the apartment. Police also called in an "electrical inspector" to examine John's lab equipment. This is the famous "Hutchison apparatus" with which John produces the renowned "Hutchison Effect." Additional individuals dressed in suits were brought in who took extensive photographs of the Hutchison apparatus. Hutchison indicates that these persons had an "official air" about them, and that they might be Government agents, especially given the confiscation of the original Hutchison lab, which took place while John was out of the country in 1990. None of these persons showed any identification. Those who have followed John's career of invention and innovation will recall that his first laboratory was forcibly seized by the Canadian Government on 24 February 1990 by the direct order of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The Government has retained the lab in spite of a court order by Judge Paris of the Supreme Court of British Columbia to return it. A previous raid on John Hutchison's apartment involving his collection of antique firearms occured in 1978, and processing took two years. The confiscated antiques were returned at the order of Judge Cronin. These events occured under the administration of former PM Pierre Trudeau. Former PM Joe Clark, who took over in the 1980s following the Trudeau administration, wrote to Hutchison offering help and support. The present raid follows close on the heels of a recent successful levitation performed 11 October 1999 which was videotaped by John. The effect was achieved after six days worth of attempts. However, neighbors called local police to complain about Hutchison's experiment. It is unclear whether something in their apartment levitated, although there is no other way known at this time that they could have been aware of the levitation experiment that was in progress. The neighbors in question live across the street from Hutchison. The sound of approaching sirens was recorded on the video soundtrack of Hutchison's camcorder during the experiment, and video of some emergency vehicles and personnel was obtained. Further updates on the situation will be posted promptly on this website. Mark A. Solis Shreveport, LA USA Webmaster for John Hutchison [EMAIL PROTECTED]