Sentencing hearing up now for Brandon Straka. He pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct:
Just a little of what he's been subjected to:
More Americans and Republicans leaders need to be outraged at the US Department of Justice wasting so much money and time on this political prosecution. Prosecutor now talking about a tweet...f*cking absurd.
Judge Dabny Friedrich, a Trump appointee, presiding. DOJ claiming his actions were not 1A protected. "This is a very serious case," prosecutor says. LOL
Friedrich wants to know, given Straka's resources, why DOJ isn't asking for a fine. Another Trump gem
This is your DOJ in a sentencing memo.
Who wants to tell them?
Straka atty fighting DOJs double-talk, blasting DOJ for making incendiary claims in court and documents while seeking plea deals for nonviolent misdemeanors. This is chronic approach by DOJ.
"This is the criminalization of political activity. It's protected."
"This is America. This is what we do."
Friedrich pushing back. "Didn't he know when he arrived that the Capitol had been breached? I don't find it credible that he had no idea what was going on. That does not ring true."
She's now reading his tweets that said "hold the line."
Straka atty says he got caught up in the moment. "At no point did he know actual violence was committed."
Judge says he was there when someone tried to take a police shield. She is repeatedly arguing with Straka atty.
Friedrich wants to know what he meant by "hold the line."
No clue why anyone would take a plea and be subjected to these moronic judges. Friedrich is a mini Amy Berman Jackson, interrupting and shrieking.
She's mad his statements don't conform to the groupthink about January 6. He was not a peaceful protester, she says.
Judge: "There is still an effort to minimize what he did and what he was a part of that day."
No weapons charge, no assault, no destruction of property. But DOJ claimed without Straka's involvement the Capitol "riot" wouldn't have happened.
"It took him a while to come around."
Friedrich refers to January 6 as "an attack on the Capitol." Claims Straka condones violence.
Straka atty explains "far and above" consequences Straka has suffered. Notes disparity in DOJ sentencing rec over other J6 defendants.
Judge says he was "encouraging others"
Straka, judge says, "thinks it's ok to storm the Capitol to contest an election."
They are "not Patriots," Friedrich claims. "He thinks that's ok to ask his million followers for an audit" of the election.
My God, she makes Berman Jackson looks fair-minded.
Friedrich: "He started this movement which...the mission was to bring together all walks of life and to not be violent. His actions that day were so inconsistent with that."
No doubt Straka is targeted bc he started a political movement to walk away from Democratic Party.
Friedrich again says Straka supported a plan to "storm the Capitol."
Straka now up. He has submitted a formal statement to the court. Says DOJ document describes someone totally dissimilar from him. "I don't know this person."
Straka received at least 500 character letters on his behalf. Talks about friendships and family connections gone forever. "I am sincerely sorry to everyone in America even to those who hated my guts before January 6."
Apologizes to police and Congress. Promises to do better.
Friedrich rehashing case. Says trespassing at the Capitol isn’t protected by 1A. “Deeply troubling” Straka used his social media platform to condone January 6.
He undermined the “rule of law” by engaging in “storming the Capitol.” Notes letters, overcoming addiction, etc
Friedrich sentences him to 3 months home detention, 3 years of probation, $5,000 fine, and $500 restitution to Capitol architect.
INSANE
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Hearing up now in Oath Keepers case. Judge Mehta presiding. This will deal with the newest indictment for "seditious conspiracy," which I wrote about here.
My guess why DOJ threatening to charge one of its top FBI informants in Whitmer case. Not just to prevent defense from calling him as a witness in entrapment case, but to delay March 8 trial.
DOJ does NOT want this trial taking place while J6 trials are underway:
This is DOJ strategy in J6 cases. Add co-defendants to justify asking court to delay trial—defense begrudgingly goes along because new defendant poses challenges to defense arguments.
We’ll see tomorrow if it worked in Oath Keepers case. After more than a year…
DOJ indicted Stewart Rhodes. This throws a monkey wrench into Oath Keepers defense, especially since one defense lawyer wanted to subpoena Rhodes for his central role—Person One—in conspiracy case.
Judge Mehta will decide tomorrow if 1st OK trial will still proceed in April.
Bond hearing up now. Judge Emmet Sullivan (yes that one) presiding. Jail inspector found several issues at the Gulag but still concluded conditions met standards.
Sullivan asks how long Gieswein has been in isolation. DOJ says since December 31 but Gieswein said they’ve been in isolation since Christmas Eve.
Every positive test results in 14 day isolation , he’s on 2nd 14 day isolation.
Detainees in 22-hour lockdown now.
Unreal. DOJ now says quarantine lockdowns will cause more trial delays. Gieswein jury selection supposed to begin end of February. Sullivan now talking March or April trial.
Gieswein has been incarcerated for a year.
Gieswein atty asks Sullivan to consider motion for bond.
Hearing up now on Ryan Samsel, the man who first breached USCP line at the perimeter of Capitol grounds right before 1pm on January 6. DOJ announced two other defendants will be added to his 2-person case.
This is where Ray Epps is seen whispering in Samsel's ear before he acted
Judge is Tim Kelly, a Trump appointee. Samsel has been detained since his arrest on January 30. He has been assaulted at least twice in 2 different jails.
New indictment is under seal bc there is a 5th individual who hasn't been arrested yet so name is redacted.
Samsel atty telling Kelly USMS still hasn't given Samsel's medical record to PA jail where he is detained. Also refuting DOJ adding defendants to Samsel's case since there is no conspiracy charge. 'Why not charge 725 people together?"