(1) #TaosCompound New Mexico case updates thread #3 starting 8/26/18.
List of links to my series of threads about this case:
If you're new to my tweets about this case, you might want to read the earlier threads before commenting.
List of links to my series of threads about this case:
If you're new to my tweets about this case, you might want to read the earlier threads before commenting.
(2) At the end of the previous thread I wrote:
You can't outlaw religion. You can't outlaw thought crimes such as fundamentalist beliefs. You can outlaw delusional adults being around small children.
Sane adults had multiple opportunities to rescue these children in 2017-18.
You can't outlaw religion. You can't outlaw thought crimes such as fundamentalist beliefs. You can outlaw delusional adults being around small children.
Sane adults had multiple opportunities to rescue these children in 2017-18.
(3) People on both the political left & right are so caught up in identity politics that they have lost sight of the central issues in this case.
A medically vulnerable child was abducted by people who told others they oppose modern medicine. LEOs had opportunities to save him.
A medically vulnerable child was abducted by people who told others they oppose modern medicine. LEOs had opportunities to save him.
(4) And before you jump in: Yes, I too am concerned about any cases of extremism and terrorism affecting the public, regardless of the political beliefs involved.
Plenty of people are writing about those aspects of the case.
Plenty of people are writing about those aspects of the case.
(5) The two individuals IMO most responsible for Abdul-Ghani's (AGW) death have now been charged in that matter. That's Siraj Wahhaj Jr and Jany Leveille (JL).
JL is one of at least two "wives" of Wahhaj Jr. The other gave birth to AGW & reported his abduction to LEOs in GA.
JL is one of at least two "wives" of Wahhaj Jr. The other gave birth to AGW & reported his abduction to LEOs in GA.
(6) All five remain in custody. The state of GA has effectively cancelled its extradition request for Wahhaj Jr. I will add info about it's reason(s) when I have it.
JL, a Haitian national unlawfully in the US, will likely remain in federal custody. I'm not worried about her.
JL, a Haitian national unlawfully in the US, will likely remain in federal custody. I'm not worried about her.
(7) I'm not worried about her being released, that is.
The other four can only be released IF they can demonstrate compliance with all 13 release conditions, incl. appropriate housing. This will be very hard to achieve, but I will let you know if they manage it.
The other four can only be released IF they can demonstrate compliance with all 13 release conditions, incl. appropriate housing. This will be very hard to achieve, but I will let you know if they manage it.
(8) Let's catch up on the supplementary information filed on Friday 8/24/18 by the prosecuting DA in the matter of pre-trial detention of the 5 suspects.
media-beta.wsbtv.com/document_dev/2…
media-beta.wsbtv.com/document_dev/2…
(9) IMO the first 8 pages of the 13 page document are an attempt to argue with the Judge about the rules of evidence. It would take a whole day of reading for me to grapple with that at the standard I require of myself.
The last 5 pages are more important to me at this point.
The last 5 pages are more important to me at this point.
(10) The firearms aspect of the legal argument is of interest, though. It's a case of "be careful what you wish for."
The DA essentially argues for inferring dangerousness by from the number of legal firearms in proximity to children.
The Judge had rightly said: no way.
The DA essentially argues for inferring dangerousness by from the number of legal firearms in proximity to children.
The Judge had rightly said: no way.
(11) As I said in Thread #1, gun rights advocates should praise Judge Backus for rejecting the argument that firearm possession ALONE suggests dangerousness that requires pre-trial detention in every case.
Pretty sure we fight against such inferences every day.
Pretty sure we fight against such inferences every day.
(12) In her order of 8/13/18 Judge Backus invited the DA to submit additional evidence, and now they have.
The first exhibit is a handwritten document that will alarm the terrorism narrative believers among the public and be dismissed by the other side.
The first exhibit is a handwritten document that will alarm the terrorism narrative believers among the public and be dismissed by the other side.
(13) In terrorism cases brought by the DOJ I've never seen a document like this succeeding on its own as evidence of planning of attacks. The FBI looks for more than hypothetical information. It is very early in this investigation. I expect better evidence to be revealed later.
(14) Hopefully this testimony from some of the children was recorded in the proper way, enabling a jury to assess what weight to give it. I'm not saying I don't believe the children. We need the JURY to believe them.
Also note the mention of JL's hatred of the hospital.
Also note the mention of JL's hatred of the hospital.
(15) JL's reported hatred of the hospital is a clue towards her history of delusional opposition to modern medicine. People who later break the law because, in part, they bear a grudge toward a health provider, come from every possible background. Not only the religious.
(16) The veracity of this doc will be tested in the eventual trial. Assuming it is real, it begs the question: Would a sane person document their criminal intent & behavior in such a thorough way? Of course not.
Please note: I'm not arguing for an insanity plea. Not at all.
Please note: I'm not arguing for an insanity plea. Not at all.
(17) I don't care if JL is found guilty - or not guilty by reason of insanity - the outcome is the same: She will (hopefully) never be released in the US & probably never deported to Haiti, either. The public must be protected. I know this administration will do that.
(18) JL presents a classic case of a delusional disorder, and seems to have persuaded those around her to adopt her beliefs. Reading about the child abuse and neglect is harrowing... I remind you that such crimes occur among people from almost every religious or cultural group.
(19) If JL believed that AGW was "born dead" then that may be her interpretation of the primary medical condition he had: hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Good info about HIE here: hopeforhie.org/whatishie
Some babies tragically suffer oxygen deprivation during birth.
Some babies tragically suffer oxygen deprivation during birth.
(20) Here's the excerpt about JL's belief that AGW was "born dead." A baby with HIE (see above tweet) may be not breathing & require resuscitation. Hypoxia effects range from no effects to severe disability to death.
AGW needed anti-seizure meds to survive & lead a normal life.
AGW needed anti-seizure meds to survive & lead a normal life.
(21) This is an informative article covering the abduction of AGW and the journey taken by the group from GA to NM. It's dated 8/16/18 so the reporters didn't have the benefit of later info.
news-daily.com/news/body-foun…
news-daily.com/news/body-foun…
(22) If these events occurred as described, then they show some of the opportunities that LEOs had to save AGW and the other children.
LEOs can only act on info they are given or obtain. That said, failure to act on a seemingly minor crime can have much larger consequences.
LEOs can only act on info they are given or obtain. That said, failure to act on a seemingly minor crime can have much larger consequences.
(23) If a jury makes a finding that this journal is legitimate, then we now have info that AGW likely had his anti-seizure (& other?) meds stopped on 12/1/17 & he died weeks later on 12/24/17.
I do not believe the ritual was a necessary part of why he died.
I do not believe the ritual was a necessary part of why he died.
(24) These were crimes:
>Abducting AGW
>Withdrawing his meds
>Failing to report his death & giving authorities custody of his remains
>Abusing the other children in relation this, & risking their health.
A ritual in itself isn't a crime. In this case, it's a red herring.
>Abducting AGW
>Withdrawing his meds
>Failing to report his death & giving authorities custody of his remains
>Abusing the other children in relation this, & risking their health.
A ritual in itself isn't a crime. In this case, it's a red herring.
(25) Further evidence of JL's delusions, if verified in due course. Her brother, Von-Chelet, needs to be investigated. We won't necessarily hear more about that until the trial. The FBI will be handling that side of the case.
(26) The final paragraph summarizes the information the DA has submitted in this document. Overall, my impression of this document is that it's better than the previous one at making the case that the 5 defendants should not be released. Keen to see what the Court decides now.
(27) This man's "quiet protest" against the Judge's decision is at least non-violent, but I still disagree with him. Of course, he's free to exercise his 1A and other rights.
Story: taosnews.com/stories/sound-…
Story: taosnews.com/stories/sound-…
(28) This response to the above story makes some sound arguments IMO. I disagree with some of it, & we may never know if it was part of an astroturfing operation but at least it's civil. Isn't that what we so often ask the left to do? Engage with arguments iso name-calling?
(29) The writer of the above comment was wrong on a few facts: Siraj Wahhaj Jr is in custody but it is apparently not now because of the GA request. The 5 defendants have not been released at this time. Accessory to severe child abuse is more serious than made out, too.
(30) I've taken a professional & personal interest in child abuse & "child medical neglect" law for many years. Here is some reading about the issues:
Dr Paul Offit: nbcnews.com/health/kids-he…
Gov Butch Otter: magicvalley.com/news/local/gov…
Idaho cases: theguardian.com/us-news/2016/a…
Dr Paul Offit: nbcnews.com/health/kids-he…
Gov Butch Otter: magicvalley.com/news/local/gov…
Idaho cases: theguardian.com/us-news/2016/a…
(31) Some interesting points made toward the end of this CNN piece. (Excerpts to follow.)
edition.cnn.com/2018/08/25/us/…
edition.cnn.com/2018/08/25/us/…
(32) CNN obtained dashcam video & lapel audio from a local sheriff's deputy, presumably under FOIA laws. IMO such evidence should be withheld until after the trial, but anyway...
When reading this info please remember the deputy could have been mistaken on some of the details.
When reading this info please remember the deputy could have been mistaken on some of the details.
(33) The FBI agent is right; it would be absolutely inappropriate to comment at this time. That does NOT mean I am taking a position one way or another on what went on at the compound & with the various investigations. We will find out at the trial & through other means, later.
(34) IDK what to make of this Sheriff atm. He shouldn't have done the interview. Should have offered to answer written questions only, referring anything FBI-related to the FBI.
Conspiracy fantasists & politicians don't need any encouragement to make hay out of this tragedy.
Conspiracy fantasists & politicians don't need any encouragement to make hay out of this tragedy.
(35) Clearly, the FBI is unwilling to file charges atm for a number of reasons, but I believe they are right across this case, with the authority to intervene appropriately if required. I am more suspicious of the local Sheriff's & DA's offices, & others, until I learn more.
(36) Based on what I've learned about the elected Democrat DA in Taos County, this comes as no surprise to me.
(Please read the article & my 3 threads (link at start of this thread) before complaining to me about it.)
taosnews.com/stories/hearin…
(Please read the article & my 3 threads (link at start of this thread) before complaining to me about it.)
taosnews.com/stories/hearin…
(38) The two people facing the most serious charges remain in jail. The other three have been released (and two of those have conditions eg must stay in Taos County pending trial on trespassing charges.) I am certain they're all being watched by the feds. kob.com/new-mexico-new…
(39) Here's something all NM GOP candidates should get behind. Ask the GOP Governor to send the Democrat state AG to fix up the Sheriff/DA created #TaosCompound proceedings mess before it's too late.
NM Stat § 8-5-2, Subsections B and I:
law.justia.com/codes/new-mexi…
NM Stat § 8-5-2, Subsections B and I:
law.justia.com/codes/new-mexi…
