By Rick LaRivière and Richard Luthmann
Paul Boyne, the fiery blogger behind The Family Court Circus, is free after spending 18 months incarcerated. Boyne left New Haven jail on Thursday and is reportedly en route to Virginia via train, no longer listed as an inmate in the Connecticut Department of Corrections system.
Friends and supporters rallied to post his $5,250 bail, securing his release.
Boyne, known for scathing critiques of Connecticut’s family court judges, is already planning his defense against cyberstalking charges.
On The Unknown Podcast, professional journalists and hosts Richard Luthmann and Michael Volpe delved into Boyne’s ordeal, dissecting the judicial overreach and media bias surrounding his case.
Jack Doyle: Protector of Judges or Prosecutor for the People?
Luthmann didn’t hold back in criticizing New Haven State’s Attorney Jack Doyle, who he claims worked tirelessly to keep Boyne behind bars.
“Doyle’s not prosecuting for the people; he’s covering for the judiciary,” Luthmann stated. “He’s asking for restrictive bail conditions like ankle monitors and house arrest to control Boyne even after he’s posted bail.”
Volpe highlighted the irony: “You’d think the court was dealing with a mob boss. This is a blogger with strong opinions, not a criminal mastermind.”
Boyne’s case has sparked a national conversation about the limits of free speech and the criminalization of dissent. Luthmann argued that Boyne’s controversial posts fall under the umbrella of protected speech. “The idea that saying, ‘Judge Moukawsher in the crosshair sight of a firearm,’ constitutes a true threat is absurd,” he said, pointing to precedent in United States v. Watts.
Joette Katz: The Shadowy Influence Behind Boyne’s Prosecution?
The hosts also discussed Joette Katz, a former Connecticut Supreme Court Justice and partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP's alleged involvement in Boyne’s prosecution.
Volpe shared details from an email revealed in court discovery, where handwritten notes read: “Cease and desist to stop uploading. Katz Speak To Only.”
“That note proves Katz’s influence,” Volpe said. “She’s orchestrating this entire charade to silence Boyne and protect the judges he’s exposed.”
Luthmann added, “Katz’s role here raises serious ethical questions. This isn’t justice; it’s a vendetta.”
Hartford Courant’s Ed Mahony: Media Bias Exposed?
Boyne’s release came just days after Hartford Courant reporter Ed Mahony published a scathing article blaming delays in the case on Boyne.
Volpe didn’t mince words about Mahony’s coverage: “This is one of the worst articles I’ve ever read. It’s not journalism; it’s PR for the judiciary.”
Luthmann echoed the sentiment, calling the piece “a disgrace to the profession.”
He noted, “Mahony conveniently ignores the systemic issues Boyne has exposed. Instead, he paints him as a bitter litigant consumed by a divorce. That’s a gross misrepresentation.”
The hosts also revealed Mahony’s ties to the Connecticut Judicial Media Committee, a group they allege shapes media narratives to protect the judiciary.
“It’s a semi-secret club where judges and reporters collude,” Volpe said. “No wonder Mahony’s articles read like judicial press releases.”
Richard Luthmann suggested that Boyne formally address the inaccuracies in Ed Mahony's Hartford Courant article.
“Boyne should send a request for correction,” Luthmann said. “Make Mahony and the Hartford Courant either admit their mistakes or double down on their bias. Either way, it’s a win for transparency.”
What’s Next for Boyne?
With his release, Boyne plans to fight back against what he calls a politically motivated prosecution. According to Luthmann, Boyne intends to file motions challenging the jurisdiction of Connecticut courts over a Virginia resident and the constitutionality of the stalking statute under which he’s charged.
Volpe relayed Boyne’s fiery words: “If people can joke about killing Obama, I can joke about judges. It’s satire, not a crime.”
The hosts believe Boyne’s case is pivotal in the fight for free speech.
“If criticizing judges can land you in jail, democracy is in trouble,” Luthmann said.
Luthmann also believed it wasn’t a coincidence that Boyne was released days before the Presidential Inauguration.
“I think corrupt blue state family court systems, Connecticut being chief among them, are getting the message ‘Get You Sh— Together,’ or very soon it will be done for them whether through DOGE, Justice, or a combination of federal apparatuses.”
Boyne’s future remains uncertain as Doyle is expected to push the prosecution. But for now, he’s free—and ready to take the fight to the courts and the court of public opinion.
As Volpe aptly summarized, “Paul Boyne may be out of jail, but the real battle has just begun.”
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