BLAME THE MEDIA, PART 17,184: Maria Jacob, Defense attorney for Micajah Jackson, says her client was misled by MSM. 'We’re not talking about fringe outlets…. We‘re talking about mainstream outlets that have kind of also encouraged these beliefs.'
Audio of judge at sentencing very muddy. Yet another example of problem w/substituting virtual access for in person
Jackson’s lawyer says despite his prolific use of social media he has ’social anxiety’ so doesn’t want to address court. Jackson does briefly speak, though: 'I am remorseful It was a very dark day that day.’ #CapitolRiot#Jan6
Judge Moss ends up postponing sentence for a couple weeks. I think he said he may want to sentence to more than 30 days, but maybe it was 14. The audio was very muddy.
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UPDATE: Jury ends 2nd day without verdicts in trial of 2 men for allegedly conspiring to funnel millions in donations from UAE to funds backing Hillary Clinton in 2016 presidential campaign. Donations later moved to Trump/GOP causes after he won. More... politi.co/3LWoOVV
2 jury notes this aftn w/3 Qs. Q1: Does defendant have duty to correct false statements made before learning of grand jury probe? Answer seems to be no but prosecutor says Q reflects jury 'confusion,' citing testimony Def. Moe Diab reaffirmed falsehoods after being told of probe
Q2: Do defendant's acts alleged to be obstruction need to take place after GJ process began? Answer seems to be not necessarily with Judge Moss citing Aguilar & Arthur Andersen about a 'nexus' to GJ.
HAPPENING NOW: Testimony back underway at 1st #J6#CapitolRiot trial. On stand: Dan Schwager, on Jan. 6, General Counsel to Secretary of the Senate. He’s now chief counsel for American Oversight, but the name of the group hasn’t yet been mentioned, just that it’s a nonprofit.
Jury just watched video of Senate chamber being evacuated and House chamber being locked down on 1/6/21.
And now of Senate and House gaveling back in around 9 P.M. on 1/6/21.
HAPPENING NOW: Reffitt Jan. 6 trial about to get under way. 3 jurors told clerk that they can’t see Reffitt. Parties disputing whether they need to or not. Prosecution says jury can consider defendant’s reaction. Earlier: 'politi.co/3hvdH8v
Def atty Welch: 'For goodness sake, someone could have gas and that could cause a facial expression.’ Judge notes with COVID protocol there isn’t much way to give everyone a good view of everything. Also, ya know, he’s wearing a mask….
Jury is in now. Judge is going to look into law related to issue of jury seeing the defendant and take up later.
HAPPENING NOW: Oath Keeper Joshua James, charged in Jan. w/seditious conspiracy related to #CapitolRiot, is offering guilty plea to that charge and obstructing electoral vote certification. Background from @kyledcheneypoliti.co/3pws68M
@kyledcheney James just said he agreed with OK founder Stewart Rhodes to use "lethal force if necessary” to prevent anyone from removing Trump from the White House
@kyledcheney Some trouble at hearing as James says ‘no’ when Judge Mehta asks if James agrees that his intent in using force at Capitol was in part to stop the certification of the electoral vote
UPDATE: At 1st Jan. 6 trial, ex-Capitol police officer recalls battling ‘violent’ crowd, firing 40-50 pepper balls at defendant. Ex-officer: ‘It’s my job to stand in their way…My concern was that they would get to members of Congress.’ w/@kyledcheneypoliti.co/3hvdH8v
@kyledcheney Jury watching various videos of Reffitt at Capitol. Some surveillance video. Some from crowd, but last clip was from Fox News showing Reffitt washing tear gas from his eyes. @ShannonBream partially visible at the side.
@kyledcheney@ShannonBream As story notes we had hour or so delay for some tech issues. They continue with trouble getting good audio from video exhibits. Works good when judge isn’t in room.
BREAKING: Opening arguments underway in 1st #CapitolRiot trial, U.S. v. Guy Reffitt. AUSA Jeff Nestler calls the Capitol ‘the heart of democracy,’ says Jan. 6 was ‘worst assault on the Capitol since the War of 1812.’ Of Reffitt: 'The defendant was the tip of this mob’s spear.'
After prosecution’s half-hour recitation replete with inflammatory quotes from defendant, Reffitt’s defense attorney William Welch offers an opening of just three minutes.
Parts of it seem Seussian. ‘He did not break anything. He did not take anything,’ Welch says. Denies his client was armed. Notes he never entered Capitol.