I’m back in Greenbelt, Md., this morning for a pre-sentencing hearing for Patrik Mathews and Brian Lemley Jr. #wfp
A thread.
A thread.
At 9:30 am EST, both men will be back in court for a joint hearing.
This is a big day for them and is likely to have serious repercussions for what their coming years look like.
This is a big day for them and is likely to have serious repercussions for what their coming years look like.
The prosecution is seeking terrorism sentencing enhancements in the case.
If the judge imposes the enhancements, it is expected to drastically increase the amount of time the two men spend behind bars.
If the judge imposes the enhancements, it is expected to drastically increase the amount of time the two men spend behind bars.
Mathews and Lemley, two members of the neo-Nazi paramilitary group the Base, were arrested by the FBI and ATF in January 2020. LE alleges the men were plotting a terror attack in Richmond, Va.
They pleaded guilty to various felonies in June. They will be sentenced Thursday.
They pleaded guilty to various felonies in June. They will be sentenced Thursday.
One noteworthy element of the case is the vast discrepancy between the lengths of sentences the prosecution and defence are seeking.
The prosecution has requested Mathews and Lemley be sentenced to 25 years. The defence teams are seeking 33 months.
The prosecution has requested Mathews and Lemley be sentenced to 25 years. The defence teams are seeking 33 months.
I can’t use my phone in the court so I will provide an update — with a story to follow — after the hearing.
Court recessed for 15 minutes. The morning session was taken up entirely by the prosecution’s arguments in favour of terrorism sentencing enhancements.
They also laid out a display of evidence — guns, ammunition, tactical gear, radio communications, propaganda materials, gas mask, etc — which an FBI agent who investigated the case walked through.
Court about to go back in session. The defence will now respond.
Court broke for recess. Lemley’s defence attorneys are finished presenting their arguments to the court.
Up next is Joseph Balter, Mathews defence attorney. Unclear if the judge will deliver his verdict on the sentencing enhancements today or not.
Up next is Joseph Balter, Mathews defence attorney. Unclear if the judge will deliver his verdict on the sentencing enhancements today or not.
The hearing has ended. The judge has sided with the prosecution on all points of contention: the terrorism sentencing enhancements will be applied to Mathews + Lemley.
#wfp
#wfp
The two men will learn their fates Thursday.
The judge says he remains open to arguments from defence attorneys at the upcoming hearing on what their ultimate sentence should be.
Story to come.
The judge says he remains open to arguments from defence attorneys at the upcoming hearing on what their ultimate sentence should be.
Story to come.
Full story here:
'The evidence included a "sniper rifle," a homemade "assault-style rifle" (or "ghost gun"), a night-vision scope, a thermal-imaging scope, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, tactical gear, various supplies and neo-Nazi propaganda.'
winnipegfreepress.com/local/us-judge…
'The evidence included a "sniper rifle," a homemade "assault-style rifle" (or "ghost gun"), a night-vision scope, a thermal-imaging scope, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, tactical gear, various supplies and neo-Nazi propaganda.'
winnipegfreepress.com/local/us-judge…
More to come Thursday.
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