Thread by @ZoeTillman

New filing: Govt is arguing to keep Capitol insurrection def. Jessica Watkins in jail pending trial. A few new details, including that she told someone, "We are not bringing firearms" but then revised: "Weapons are ok now as well. Sorry for the confusion." assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2047…

Prosecutors arguing to keep Jessica Watkins in pretrial detention: "Crimes of this magnitude, committed with such zeal, belie any conditions of release that would reasonably assure the safety of the community or by which Watkins could be trusted to abide."

Watkins has been in custody since her arrest in Ohio on Jan. 17 — she made her initial court appearance in Ohio two days later and requested that her detention hearing be held once her case got transferred to DC (where all the Capitol insurrection cases are being prosecuted)

The Watkins detention memo repeats much of what the govt has already put out there about what members of the alleged Oath Keepers conspiracy were saying via a walkie talkie app.

Govt: "For Watkins, this was a moment to relish in the swirling violence in the air."

And of note as we enter another day of Donald Trump's impeachment trial: "As the inauguration grew nearer, Watkins indicated that she was awaiting direction from President Trump."

New: A few hours before Day 3 of Trump's impeachment trial kicked off, prosecutors shared new evidence that a member of the alleged Oath Keepers conspiracy was "awaiting direction" from Trump buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…

Update: Prosecutors filed their response to alleged Oath Keepers conspirator Thomas Caldwell — incl. texts that appear to show comms with (or at least aware of planning by) Proud Boys and Three Percenters, and a doc found in his home titled "Death List" assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2047…

Updated: In a new court filing, prosecutors say a search of alleged Oath Keepers conspiracy member Thomas Caldwell's home revealed a "Death List" and invoices for ammunition and what appeared to be a firearm "intentionally built to look like a cell phone" buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…

Prosecutors say Thomas Caldwell messaged with someone on Jan. 3 about arranging for a boat to ferry "heavy weapons" across the Potomac to "our waiting arms" in DC.

"Genius if someone is willing and hasn't put their boat away for the winter."
buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…

More filings coming in today re: who prosecutors are arguing to keep in jail pending trial.

Daniel Adams, accused of being at the "front of the pack" of a mob that attacked the Capitol and assaulting law enforcement: assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2047…

"Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!"

Christopher Grider is arguing for pretrial release, meanwhile:

https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/1359941836865994753

His charging docs: assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2046…

A hearing has just started on the govt's request to keep Capitol insurrection defendant Rachel Powell in custody after a PA judge granted her release. She's accused of using a pipe as a battering ram to break into the Capitol. Govt motion: assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2047…

Chief Judge Beryl Howell is handling Powell's detention hearing, and is explaining concern she has about how the govt is deciding who to argue to detain vs. not. She notes the govt didn't seek detention in Proud Boys cases involving conspiracy where there's more ev. of planning

This is the case Howell is referencing: justice.gov/usao-dc/press-…

Prosecutor says she's not involved in that other case and can't speak to the decisions made by the govt there

Howell: "I am concerned about equitable treatment of all of these defendants in what is a very difficult circumstance of figuring out who's in charge of what, who's doing what, and figuring out levels of dangerousness"

Powell's lawyer talked about how she home schools some of her kids. Judge notes she was photographed without a mask at the Capitol, asks if if she had any concern about bringing home COVID to her kids. Lawyer says none tested positive, and that she'd comply with any mask req.

Judge Howell is preparing to announce her decision. The fact that Powell did an interview with the New Yorker did not sit well with the judge: "This defendant had no apology, no remorse, no embarrassment ... that article is just downright offensive"

Howell says the weight of evidence and seriousness of felony charges that Powell faces weigh in favor of detention, while lack of criminal history, ties to community, and fact that she's only charged with destruction of property and not harming people weigh in favor of release

Howell concludes that there *are* release conditions that could mitigate the seriousness of any risk Powell poses to the community + ensure appearance, and denies govt's appeal of her release.

tldr: Capitol insurrection defendant Rachel Powell is being granted pretrial release

Powell is being released to home detention, which means she can only leave for a few reasons — employment, medical reasons, court/atty meetings. She'll have to get pre-approval to leave the house for any other reason. If she does leave the house, she is required to wear a mask

Something that's becoming apparent in these hearings re: who gets detained and who doesn't is that Howell is especially interested in a) whether the def. is accused of assaulting anyone b) whether they brought/carried a weapon c) how much they planned for violence

New charging docs unsealed today alleging another Proud Boys conspiracy: assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2047…

Feds note defendants wore pieces of orange tape, which made it easier to ID them in pics, and say the govt is still investigating "intent and purpose" of the tape

Prosecutors Say A Member Of The Oath Keepers Conspiracy Was "Awaiting Direction" From Trump Before The Capitol Attack
buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…

A few hours before Day 3 of Trump's impeachment trial kicked off today, prosecutors offered up new evidence that a member of the alleged Oath Keepers conspiracy charged with planning an assault on the Capitol was "awaiting direction" from Trump
buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…