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Homeless Activist Locked Up For Marijuana Possession, Dies in Jail

An investigation has been launched after a 26-year-old homeless man, who successfully sued police in two New Hampshire counties last year, was found dead in jail Sunday. Last week, police arrested Jeffrey Pendleton for possessing a small amount of cannabis. Even though the plant is legal in some form in 23 state, Pendleton was jailed after a Nashua District Court judge set his bail at $100, an amount he was unable to raise as a homeless person. He was found dead in his cell just five days later. Activist Post reports: “There appeared no indication that Mr. Pendleton was in any form of distress,” said Superintendent David Dionne. The Manchester police are now investigating his death. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday. However, the results have yet to be released publicly, leaving some questioning the circumstances of his untimely death — especially considering his outstanding history of activism against police abuse of the homeless. Pendleton is no stranger to police in the area as he had won settlements for civil rights violations from both the Hudson and Nashua police departments last year. Pendleton won a settlement of $7,640 from Hudson after he was unlawfully arrested for standing on public property [...]