A student at College of Mount Saint Vincent in The Bronx was suspended for an Instagram post questioning George Floyd protests. Now it is a Federal case and Inner City Press has been covering it since 2:30 pm, will not live tweet the end then public story - thread
After three hours of argument, the judge is asking why the plaintiff -- "Annie Doe" -- has not moved out of her dorm room. The College gave her a referral to a homeless shelter.
Here's the beginning of the story Inner City Press started drafting: "Annie Doe - not her real name - while a student at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale in the North Bronx posted on Instagram criticism of protests to the murder of George Floyd...
The CMSV student wrote, "Just because one black guy dies doesn't mean the entire world should act like untamed apes." [From court filing] She was charged with harassment, and issued a two year suspension. She sued - and "has not left the premises."
Doe's lawyer conceded it is not a 1st Amendment case, since CMSV is a private school. But he attacked the disciplinary process Annie Doe was put through. He noted Doe's support of Trump, and the negative reactions these drew from other CMSV students.
Annie Doe sued for sex discrimination, retaliation and most intriguingly, breach of contract. Inner City Press story soon.
The College of Mount Saint Vincent lawyer said "the optics are bad," parents who pay tuition are asking why Annie Doe is still on campus. Her "electronic card access to the front door has been canceled" - but she has not left.
9:15 am
Sean Combs is in the courtroom, talking with his lead lawyer Agnifilo. Also in the well: Shapiro, Westmoreland, Driscoll, Steel. Prosecutors nowhere to be seen.
9:30 am
Now Sean Combs is talking with his lawyer Nicole Westmoreland, while four other of this lawyers huddle to the side. Combs stands up, asking Marshals, and is allowed to speak to his family seated in the front row. Now back into holding cell.
Judge Subramanian: Ms. Comey, can we make sure that things that have been emailed in are put in the docket?
[Better late than never: this is what Inner City Press requested in Week 1: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Judge Subramanian: I am adopting the Government's answer to the drug distribution question.
Combs' Driscoll: Can we just put something on the record, about sole possession? This definition of distribution would mislead the jury
Driscoll: But-
Judge: Hold on
OK - now in Drake v UMG [Kendrick Lamar] case, iral argument. Inner City Press has covered the case from the start and will live tweet, thread below innercitypress.com/sdny4vargasdra…
Judge Vargas: You seem to say a diss track could never be defamatory. But NY law says the form is not dispositive.
UMG lawyer: Look at the shock jock case(s)
Judge: Not the same thing. Perhaps the court needs more info [and cannot dismiss]
UMG lawyer: Drake opened the door, in the 3d person, si that when Kendrick Lamar says, Heard you like 'em you, there is no surprise
9:12 am - Judge Subramanian enters
Judge: In case there is anything, we'll bring the jury in for the charge.
Combs' Geragos: The laptop is ready, there're a few things we'll finalize during the charge.
Judge: Just email it to Chambers. (That is, not in the docket)
Judge: All rise!
[Jurors enter]
Judge: I'll read you the charge, it's long but I'll try to make it interesting. You have now heard all of the evidence in this case as well as the final arguments of the parties. I will instruct you on the law - as I give it to you
Judge: Before the defense closing, what about the laptop of exhibits?
AUSA: We are both still working on it. There are a lot of exhibits.
Judge: Why don't we not give the laptop to the jury until Monday? Today we have the defense, the rebuttal, and my charge
Judge: So, deliberations will start Monday. I sent the parties my charge and the verdict form
[Neither is yet in the docket]
Combs' Geragos: May I confer with Mr. Agnifilo?
Judge: Of course
This charge conference was supposed to be at noon, then moved to 2 pm, not still not begun as of 2:20 pm. Sean Combs is sitting at the defense table. Next to him, his lawyer Xavier Donaldson speaks to Judge's courtroom deputy. There's talk of more delay
OK - 3:07 pm - they start up
Judge: Sorry for the delays, but there was a full on Constitutional challenge patreon.com/posts/diddy-do…