When you map the hometowns of defendants in the US Capitol attack, there's a big fat circle over Central & Western New York. And those New Yorkers are involved in the higher-level cases
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Thomas Sibick of Buffalo-area is accused of assaulting DC Police Officer Michael Fanone.. and stealing his radio & badge (and of burying the badge in his backyard in NY)
He's pleaded not guilty and a judge on Friday rejected Sibick's request for release from DC jail
Maryann & Rafael Rondon of Watertown were charged in Syracuse federal court. They're accused of helping someone in mob take a laptop computer from Nancy Pelosi's office suite.... and of stealing escape hoods from US Senate. Rondon also faces charge for shotgun in his home
Matthew Greene is an accused Proud Boy from Syracuse, NY. He's pleaded not guilty in Jan 6 case.
He's charged w/ conspiracy, accused of charging toward Capitol, crossing barriers and using radio w/ earpiece. Higher-level case
Albert Ciarpelli of Syracuse allegedly drove to DC on I-81 on Jan 5, he's accused of being near QAnon Shaman, others who were outside US Senate on Jan 6.. while taking pics on his phone. Lower-level charges. Court appearance Monday was just delayed. No plea entered per docket
Domenic Pezzola of Rochester, NY-area is in pretrial detention in DC jail. He's pleaded not guilty, accused of smashing open US Capitol window with a police riot shield
Eric Bochene of Hartford, NY had entered not guilty plea before/while seeking to represent himself as defense lawyer in case.. and filed this unique motion seeking fee structure from court. Charging $75,000/hour for legal services and $50 million each for blood or urine samples
Syracuse FBI agent investigated case of Jan 6 defendant Richard Watrous of NY. Lower-level charges. He's accused of being unlawfully on grounds... inside Capitol for 5 minutes. Feds allege Watrous saw a man take off w/ bottle of booze while saying, "I got Nancy Pelosi’s wine"
Geographically .... Central & Western NY are reasonably close to DC. I've done the drive 100 times... it's 6 hours south along I-81. But the cluster of cases is noteworthy and some of the accusations or details are unique
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In a 52-page sentencing memo submitted to a federal judge, former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has asked a judge for leniency at sentencing. Menendez’s filing specifically asks that “the Court should impose a sentence that relies heavily on alternatives to incarceration
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In perhaps the most striking passage in this submission, Menendez’s attorneys argue: “Senator Menendez is not the typical defendant. His public office and the accompanying attention it draws distinguish him. And of course the charges of conviction in this case arise from his position, and the actions he took as a United States Senator, a position he resigned in worldwide disgrace after his conviction.”
Attorneys for Menendez, who was convicted at trial of federal corruption charges, also argue, “Senator Menendez—Bob as he is known by his family, friends, constituents, colleagues, and foreign dignitaries—is atypical in ways that extend far beyond the evidence presented at trial. He has lived an extraordinarily good life. One marked by great challenges— his father’s suicide, poverty, and forging a role for Latinos in local and national politics—and distinguished by deep devotion to his personal and religious ideal of service.”
NEW: Jan 6 defendant Jay Johnston, former "Bob's Burgers" actor, asks for leniency at sentencing Monday
Defense says feds "persistently overstated Johnston’s participation at the Capitol..because he is an acclaimed Hollywood actor. government is using his status to make a point to the public"
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MORE: Some interesting phrasing in Jan 6 defendant Jay Johnston's defense memo to court
"..Amid the chaos, Mr. Johnston soon found himself by the Tunnel leading into the Capitol Building on the Lower West Terrace.."
Defense: "Mr. Johnston found great success in Hollywood as an actor, writer, and producer including accolades for his role as the voice actor for Jimmy Pesto, Sr. in the animated series 'Bob’s Burgers' and as Officer Taylor in 'Arrested Development"
NOTE One of the plaintiffs, Yusef Salaam, attended the Sept 10 debate venue in-person The suit alleges Salaam and Trump had this exchange after the debate
ALERT: Judge Tanya Chutkan has just allowed the unsealing of approx. 1900 pages of Jack Smith records in the Trump 2020 election conspiracy case.
Heavy, heavy redactions. Lots to go through.
But note that the records include Mike Pence's announcement on Jan 6, 2021 that he would not overturn results
The first batch (720+) pages includes heavy redactions, but also has transcripts of depositions/interviews between Trump aides/allies and the House Jan 6 Select Committee.. including questions about the "substitute" batches of electoral votes
NOW: Justice Dept asks for 27 months prison in Jan 6 case of Dana Bell, arguing “history cannot repeat itself” after the 2024 elections. Prosecutor tells judge “deterrence” is critical
Bell is accused being “agitated, angry & violent” as she accosted police & media on Jan 6
Prosecutor argues Bell engaged in “prolonged, abusive and violent” behavior. Prosecutor says Bell grabbed police officer’s baton, as police tried to clear mob away after Ashli Babbitt was shot
Prosecutor says Bell uncorked a “verbal barrage” toward officer Jeff Smith, who died days later by suicide
Prosecutor says Bell is heard telling Smith “get a real job”, “no one supports you”