| Jordan Halliday | |
|---|---|
Halliday in Salt Lake City, 2009 |
|
| Born | August 11, 1987 [1] West Jordan, Utah, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for |
Animal rights activism Grand Jury Resistance |
| Religion | Atheist[1] |
| Website | |
| Support Jordan | |
Jordan Cade Halliday (born August 11, 1987) is an American animal rights activist. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2009 on charges related to resisting a federal grand jury investigating local illegal animal rights activities, mainly concerning fur farm raids in Utah. He was jailed for nearly four months under a contempt of court order to compel him to testify. He was later released and indicted on criminal contempt of court.[1][2][3] He pled guilty to "Criminal Contempt of Court" on July 27, 2010. The charge is a unique one in that it is sui generis, meaning it is neither a felony nor a misdemeanor. He was sentenced on November 3, 2010 to 10 months in prison with 3 years of probation upon release. He filed an appeal with the 10th circuit court which was denied. He is currently out waiting placement from the bureau of prisons.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]
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Halliday was raised in West Jordan, Utah, where he graduated from Copper Hills High School.[1] According to testimony by his mother he became vegan at age 12.[20] Halliday decided to go vegetarian when he witnessed a cow give birth to a calf which was named after him. The calf later was sold presumably for veal or rodeo entertainment. When eating steak one night with his family, they joked they could be eating "Jordan", so Halliday pushed his plate away and has refused to eat meat ever since.[21] During High School, Halliday formed SLARP (Salt Lake Animal Rights Project) which was a school club dealing with Animal Rights issues in Salt Lake.[22] Later in life he formed the Salt Lake Chapter of the Animal Defense League known as ADLSLC.[1][23][18][19]
Halliday was subpoenaed to testify before the Federal Grand Jury in Feb. 2009, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The grand jury was thought to be investigating recent mink releases by the Animal Liberation Front, which Halliday claims to support but isn't affiliated.[24] Others feel it is a modern day witch hunt to gather information on the local Animal Rights community.[25] Halliday's Support Committee claims that the grand jury was allegedly formed to investigate the mink raids, but the questions asked went far beyond the inquests into criminal activity.[26] Halliday allegedly used a form of Civil disobedience to resist the federal grand jury. He was found to be in civil contempt of court by order of a judge. He was incarcerated for nearly four months, after which he was let out and charged with criminal contempt of court. He pled guilty to "criminal contempt" on July 27, 2010.[4] He was sentenced on November 3, 2010 to 10 months in prison and 3 years probation upon release. He filed an appeal with the 10th circuit court which was denied. He is currently out waiting placement from the bureau of prisons. [2][5][6][7][8][9][16][27][28][29][30][31][18][19]
Halliday was convicted of targeted residential picketing on December 1, 2009. This charge arose from a 2008 protest in the neighborhood of an animal researcher. His other charge of "Wearing a mask with the intent to commit a crime" was dropped after the jury failed to reach a verdict. He was found Not Guilty upon appeal.[1][32][33]