Thread by @innercitypress

OK - Jan 6 guilty plea before DDC Chief Judge Howell in US v. Croy running into trouble - Croy says he didn't realize it was not authorized to enter. "I didn't see any signs." Inner City Press will live tweet - thread below

https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/1424036852558876677

Judge Howell: You were on the Capitol steps for an hour, correct? [In the manner of cross-examination]
Croy: I was not on the steps for an hour.
Judge Howell: You're saying here today, under oath, you didn't know you weren't supposed to be there?
Croy: No sign.

Judge Howell: Did the police say anything?
Croy: They were shooting pepper spray and balls.
Judge Howell: That didn't give you a clue it was no OK to be there?
Defense lawyer: He just said that.
[Not really]

Croy: I've never been to rally, I've never been to the Capitol. Everybody walked from the Washington Monument, then we walked in. I didn't hear anything like, this is an unlawful assembly. As soon as I heard that, later, we left.

Croy: Over the summer, I saw on TV the protests, people being hit with gas --
Judge Howell: AUSA, please describe the charges.
Assistant US Attorney: Entering the Capitol without permission, knowingly.

AUSA: For the purpose of the charge he's plead to, he knew he didn't have permission.
Judge Howell: Any objection?
Defense: I have an object to the statement that he wanted to stop the vote of Congress. He had no intention of stopping any vote.

Judge Howell: This is the puzzle. What were they picketing about?
AUSA: The contextual facts indicate that was the purpose --
Judge Howell: What was the purpose?
AUSA: Stopping the electoral process.
Judge Howell: Why isn't that in the statement of offense.

Judge Howell: The government's position is that they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the purpose was to stop the certification? Really?

AUSA: One caveat - I understand that others charged that the government would seek only probation. Mr Croy has not been offered that.

Judge Howell: In the papers, it says Mr. Croy would allow the authorities to interview him about Jan 6 - this is not a normal cooperation agreement. Damages in Paragraph 11 are estimated at $1,495,000... Didn't Congress just reimburse the National Guard for more?

Judge Howell: The cost of this riot was $500M. Why are you asking for so little?
AUSA: It's a standard plea.
Judge Howell: I've only seen one other.
AUSA: I'm happy to revisit --
Judge Howell: I'd like it in your sentencing memo.
[So she's accepting this plea??]

Judge Howell: Can the defense summarize the plea agreement?
Defense: In sum, basically, Mr. Croy is charged in a four count information, he's pleading to one with the other three being dismissed. He's agreed to a statement of offense and an additional interview.

Judge Howell: The maximum sentence is six months... Do you understand?
Croy: Yes, ma'am.
Judge Howell: You've agreed to pay $500 to the Treasury for damage to the CapItol building, and forFEITure.
Croy: Yes, ma'am.

Judge Howell: How do you plead to Count 4?
Croy: Guilty.
Judge Howell: I find this knowing and voluntary and the plea is accepted. Sentencing, October 15 at noon.
Defense: I'm supposed to be out of the country but probably canceled to the variants.

Judge Howell: Let's schedule it for then. Anything further?
Defense: We need his phone back.
Judge Howell: Good luck with that. I know there were a lot of phones. Excused.
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