HEADS-UP: Big, big filing moments ago by US Justice Dept against accused far-right "3%-er" & US Capitol Insurrection defendant Russell Taylor
Feds want judge to order Taylor be held in jail til trial
Just look at what they allege.... (thread)
Feds allege Taylor organized a group of armed fighters to come to DC Jan 6
And more...
Prosecutors say Taylor urged others to bring "plates" & "weaponry"
More...
Feds say Taylor tasked people with creating private radio channel to use in DC.... and tasked an alleged co-conspirator with meeting him (by car) with backpack "full of weapons"
Feds allege Taylor joined the board of a group headed by a man (an alleged co-conspirator) who advocated "execution" as "just punishment" for those who refuse to overturn the election
Prosecutors say Taylor told others, "I personally want to be on the front steps and be one of the first ones to breach the door!"
According to court docs, Taylor shared an image ahead of Jan 6 showing tactical vest, knife, hatchets, stun baton
Prosecutors are asking judge (right now) to hold Taylor in jail... calling him an organizer
And.. check this out: They allege he's at risk for "greater radicalization"
Defense attorney just told judge Taylor has cooperated with investigators, has been under FBI surveillance since January, and calls Jan 6 a “unique experience” and “confluence of many factors”
Defense lawyer is arguing that Taylor has not shown himself to be a risk while free from jail before his indictment. While addressing the accusation of conspiracy, Taylor’s lawyer said “He created some chat rooms” and “didn’t like the masks” (covid)
Defense attorney says other defendants in “3%er” Capitol Insurrection conspiracy case have status hearing in August
Taylor is in his 40s. Went to school at BYU. And his attorney says Taylor is “not a very political guy”
Prosecutor cites this among the reasons to hold Taylor in jail:
Taylor has allegedly expressed belief that the current administration & election are illegitimate
Yet again.. Trump's ongoing denial of the election is causing legal trouble for Jan 6 defendants
Defense lawyers say Taylor would get rid of "longgun" in his home and would cancel plans to attend family reunion in Florida, if judge agrees to release Taylor
No immediate ruling from judge .. so i'll birddog this case hourly over coming days
Judge has ruled against feds. Taylor can remain on release conditions. Here's what judge said in order:
"Defendant did not go into Capitol..... because he was carrying a knife"
"Six months have passed" and Taylor "hasn't acted" on his alleged threat of future "Insurrection!"
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!! Per US House Republicans, the acting Capitol Police chief has declined to appear at tomorrow's House Oversight Committee hearing investigating the Jan 6 Insurrection
Capitol Police have not responded to my questions about this today
Per Oversight committee Republicans, it was the Republican members of committee who invited chief to testify. And were rejected
Oversight Dems & Capitol police have not answered my multiple requests for info about this today
FBI director Chris Wray *will* appear
Per Oversight Committee GOP:
"Given last week’s bipartisan Senate report outlining her performance, her testimony is essential to understanding the intelligence breakdown leading up to the attack and to help prevent a similar attack from happening in the future."
!! ALERT: Arraignment in 20 mins for accused "3%-er" far right group members charged w/ conspiracy in US Capitol riots
One is accused of plotting as early as Nov. for possible violence against those who accept 2020 election results
Waiting to see if feds seek pretrial jail !!
These defendants are appearing virtually in DC court at any moment. From their home state of California. At least some in the group have public defenders
This group includes defendants accused of driving from California to DC to avoid having a red flag raised at airport about chemical spray, knives, goggles in bag for transport
Judge orders Jan 6 defendant Ryan Samsel transferred to state prison in Pennsylvania, where he history of convictions for abusing & knocking women unconscious
Samsel is accused of toppling barricade & knocking Capitol officer (woman) unconscious Jan 6
There's more
(thread)
Samsel alleges he was violently beaten while being held in the DC jail and sought transfer to Pennsylvania
There are 39 defendants from Jan 6 in DC jail. But Samsel is trading one lockup for another
(more)
Pennsylvania Parole Board had lodged a detainer against Samsel. Per court "the defendant would remain incarcerated pursuant to the Pennsylvania detainer until at least April 24, 2022." (which allows time to dispose of Jan 6 case)