Proud Boys member Christopher Worrell's hearing has begun.
Charged with using pepper spray on police on Jan. 6, Worrell renewed his bid for release claiming he's "deteriorating" from lymphoma. Feds say it's based on word of urologist, not oncologist.
As the linked article notes, the D.C. Circuit previously denied Worrell's bid for pretrial release in a ruling appearing to draw a sharp distinction between accused Capitol rioters accused of violence (like Worrell) and those who aren't (like "zip-tie guy" Eric Munchel).
Worrell renewed his motion for health reasons, speaking about the risk of COVID-19 and the return of his lymphoma.
The government says he's scheduled to see an oncologist on May 19.
His lawyer just claimed his client's being "tortured" in custody.
One of the issues is that the doctor's prescription is typically "employed to treat opioid-related issues," but is being used for lymphoma here as an "off-label" use, the government says.
The jail is restricting without more info about its use.
The government agrees the doctor is a licensed physician and appears skeptical about the jail's restriction.
Worrell is speaking himself before the judge now, but he's hard to hear through the virtual hearing's audio.
Worrell can be heard saying:
"I have a 15-year-old son...
"I’m pleading with the court. I need this treatment, whatever it may be."
"This is an extremely trying time for me and my family."
A prosecutor said that the government "understands the nature of the risk" and "takes it seriously."
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Q: Are you going to take any legal action in response to allegations of ongoing abuse of charity, and any possibility of fraud charges against LaPierre?
No direct answer, but she says "discovery will continue" in her ongoing case.
Q: Can the NRA reincorporate in Texas, absent a bankruptcy?
A: It cannot absent approval given pending matter in New York.
The NRA filed for bankruptcy in Texas in response to @NewYorkStateAG Tish James's lawsuit in New York seeking its dissolution for violations of state charity law.
Right out of the gate, Judge Hale says that's not what bankruptcy is for.
To file for bankruptcy, the NRA established a Texas entity Sea Girt LLC, which regulators call LaPierre's "wholly owned shell company."
The judge describes the cash-flush group's "somewhat unusual" path to bankruptcy court here.