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.
[Note: down at courthouse entrance much security, presumably for arrival of Kid Cudi]. Now up in court, before jury is brought in]
Judge: I didn't hear Government objecting to Mr. Kaplan testifying about Ms. Ventura asking for drugs in Boston
Judge: Let's get Mr. Kaplan back on the stand.
[Witness enters; jury enters]
AUSA: When did you carry cash for Mr. Combs?
George Kaplan: $50,000 on his private jet.
AUSA: Did you pick up cash for Mr. Combs?
Kaplan: $10,000 at Western Union, from Combs Enterprises
[Before the jury is in]
Judge: The defense letter about Doctor Hughes preserves your objections, Ms. Shapiro
[But the defense letter is NOT in the docket, while after Inner City Press' objection, the US letter is in: patreon.com/posts/diddy-do…
Judge: When Doctor Hughes is on the stand, I'm sure Mr. Bach can raise that in cross
[As we reported yesterday, Combs' 10th lawyer is Jonathan Bach, husband of Alexandra Shapiro, who was defense for example in the Trump SPAC trial: innercitypress.com/sdny23qmnpishv…
[Before jurors come in]
Combs' Agnifilo: We oppose David James testifying about the incident with Suge Knight. He's going to mention D-Roc, say he was a friend of Biggie Smalls - that's decades ago, not relevant.
Judge: Seems you are previewing your cross
[Witness / personal assistant David James takes the stand]
Judge Subramanian: Good morning. Welcome back.
[Then]
Courtroom deputy: We are missing four jurors. It may be the subways.
All rise!
Judge Subramanian: On the defense's application with regard to Dawn Richard, Ms. Geragos' opening statement opened the door to this testimony... As to Mr. James, the testimony would be inadmissible absent more
AUSA: As I argued in my letter -
[NOTE: Judge Subramanian just ruled orally on letters that are not in the docket, although they are clearly judicial documents - Inner City Press challenge to this *is* in the docket: unsealing/docket bid storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Judge: The Government has said the defense's cross examination can go until 4:30 pm today and they'll limit themselves to 30 minutes of re-direct.
Combs' lawyer Anna Maria Estevao: We have evidentiary issues
Judge: Tell me about them, should have been in writing
Combs' Estevao: We don't understand why they are taking time objecting to our exhibits.
AUSA Johnson: They are proposing to use a video of Mr. Combs walking in nature, talking about God - it is improper, invited jury nullification
Judge: Let's hear it
All rise!
Judge Subramanian: Let's try to get through these issues efficiently as we have the jurors waiting... We have a letter from a juror that we will make Court Exhibit 1. On the videos, when will they be offered into evidence?
AUSA Johnson: This afternoon
Judge Subramanian: This is about evidence that is coming into the case. The public has a right to know what is happening at trial. I don't see how we would navigate that concern. There's a potential impact on the jurors of signaling some evidence requires sealing