A detention hearing is now underway for racist troll Matthew Beddingfield, who stormed the U.S. Capitol while he was out on bail on a charge of attempted first-degree murder.
nbcnews.com/politics/justi…
nbcnews.com/politics/justi…
Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui is bringing up the huge delays in Jan. 6 prosecutions.
"If this case came before me on Jan. 7, 2021... it'd be very different."
@JessReports and I reported on Matthew Beddingfield's identity one year ago, in March 2021.
huffpost.com/entry/facial-r…
"If this case came before me on Jan. 7, 2021... it'd be very different."
@JessReports and I reported on Matthew Beddingfield's identity one year ago, in March 2021.
huffpost.com/entry/facial-r…
DOJ prosecutor is talking about Beddingfield's racist "aggressive social media trolling" on Instagram this year.
"His violent rhetoric hasn't stopped," prosecutor says. "It's continued for Mr. Beddingfield.
"His violent rhetoric hasn't stopped," prosecutor says. "It's continued for Mr. Beddingfield.
Matthew Beddingfield, a racist who praised Hitler, is being represented by Kyana Givens, a federal public defender who's zealous representation of her client has left Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui "very impressed." She was previously a fellow at Harvard Law School. 
Just more impressive lawyering from a Jan. 6 defendant represented by a federal public defender.
https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/1496966096699932675
Federal public defender Givens is arguing that Beddingfield should be monitored by GPS and restricted from traveling. Limit his social media and his devices, she argues.
"This idea that there is not a combination of conditions... is just not true for this young man."
"This idea that there is not a combination of conditions... is just not true for this young man."
Givens: "The court has his attention... He is prepared to comply with these conditions."
Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui isn't sure how much family support should weigh in Beddingfield's favor.
"His father went with him to the event on Jan. 6," he says.
Givens said they "have not really engaged" with Jason Beddingfield, but says his mother is in a different posture.
"His father went with him to the event on Jan. 6," he says.
Givens said they "have not really engaged" with Jason Beddingfield, but says his mother is in a different posture.
Jason Beddingfield lied to @JessReports, insisting that his son wasn't in D.C. on Jan. 6. huffpost.com/entry/facial-r…
@JessReports Jason Beddingfield's own public Facebook page helped confirm the fact that his son Matthew Beddingfield stormed the U.S. Capitol while he was out on bail on a charge of attempted first-degree murder.
https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/1379501786873102338
The grandfather is being questioned now as a potential custodian. He has no wifi, no smart phone, no flip phone, no computer. Landline only.
Judge Faruqui: I have some real concerns about some of the things that your son is alleged to have said on the Internet...
Judge Faruqui is hoping that the grandfather, a veteran, doesn't share his grandson's views and is troubled by some of the things he allegedly said.
Judge Faruqui is hoping that the grandfather, a veteran, doesn't share his grandson's views and is troubled by some of the things he allegedly said.
Judge Faruqui asks if the grandfather can remove the bedroom door and take away Beddingfield's privacy.
Judge Faruqui to grandfather: This is not like that state court case... You could end up locked up. You're willing to take that risk? You have to be a full-time jail custodian.
Matthew Beddingfield is now at the stand and being lectured by
"I'm trying to decide if I should stick out my neck for you," Faruqui said. "What were you thinking, Judge Faruqui," he says people will say if Beddingfield violates. "How silly could you be?"
"I'm trying to decide if I should stick out my neck for you," Faruqui said. "What were you thinking, Judge Faruqui," he says people will say if Beddingfield violates. "How silly could you be?"
"Do you think you can do it, Mr. Beddingfield?" Faruqui says.
Yes sir, Beddingfield replies.
Judge Faruqui calls it a "very close call."
Yes sir, Beddingfield replies.
Judge Faruqui calls it a "very close call."
Judge Faruqui says the conduct here is definitely something that warrants jail time, if Beddingfield is convicted. But Beddingfield is a presumed innocent person before him, he says.
NEW: Judge Faruqui says he believes there are conditions that would allow for Matthew Beddingfield's release.
Lays some blame on government's delay. If this case was brought to him in early 2021, he says, "I would be hard-pressed not to detain him."
Lays some blame on government's delay. If this case was brought to him in early 2021, he says, "I would be hard-pressed not to detain him."
"I don't know what happened" in the first-degree attempted murder case that was pleaded down, Faruqui says. But a NC judge allowed him to be sentenced to probation. The fact that he has a criminal history does not damn him to detention, Faruqui says. nbcnews.com/politics/justi…
Judge Faruqui says Matthew Beddingfield will be on home detention, will not have a door to his bedroom, and will be banned from the internet. Will live with his grandfather.
"I hope that we can off-ramp him," Faruqui says.
"I hope that we can off-ramp him," Faruqui says.
Judge Faruqui says Beddingfield can have a "non-smart phone" that is unable to connect to the internet. Can't communicate with any person who is a victim or witness to the Jan. 6 attack.
Judge Faruqui says it's "very difficult" to turn away from the temptation of the phone, even for him.
Government is likely going to appeal to a district judge. Release order is stayed until Thursday.
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