Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

Some tense moments just now at sentencing of Jan 6 defendant Antony Vo

Defense tried to get sentencing delayed & took issue with Feds & court’s handling of plea agreement rejected before trial

But defense & delay were firmly rejected by the judge… It’s Judge Tanya Chutkan

https://twitter.com/macfarlanenews/status/1778062377478426681

Defense is challenging the inclusion of quotes by Antony Vo in the pre-sentencing report .. including messages by Vo in which he acknowledged entering Capitol with his mom on Jan 6… and in which he took partial credit for stopping electoral vote count

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Judge Chutkan interjects as defense makes argument and says Vo has a bigger problem he needs to deal with at today’s sentencing

Judge is concerned about Vo’s statements AFTER his conviction at trial. She urges defense to talk to Vo and strategize .. before Vo addresses court

Defense has already admonished her client (Antony Vo) not to speak during an argument earlier in this sentencing hearing

But he appears ready to address Court soon. Judge has called recess for 30 mins for Vo to meet with attorney first.

Vo’s mom is a Jan 6 defendant too

After a 30 minute recess… this hearing didn’t cool off. At all Defense continues to interject and ask for delays… & Judge Chutkan is blistering defense and alleging a years-long effort by Vo to delay his case.

(Chutkan, you’ll recall, shut down some Trump delay tactics too)

Judge Chutkan is criticizing defense for continued (90 minutes) of efforts to delay. (Defense was recently appointed to serve Vo, replacing prior lawyer)

But judge rattled off three years of delays sought by Vo… and permission she gave Vo early in the case… to go on a cruise

When defense continues to interject, Judge Chutkan buries her face in her hands. In apparent frustration

Judge rules sentencing WILL proceed. Vo is expected to speak shortly.

Hang tight.

So… Defense just argued Vo did NOT violate the spirit of any conditions of release by attending nightly Jan 6 supporter protest outside DC jail.

Judge Chutkan interjects: “Are you serious??”

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Defense called the protest a “prayer vigil” attended by Vo

Judge Chutkan says Vo wasn’t at a “prayer session at the DC jail, but singing in support for those in pretrial detention for violent crimes”

Defense refers to tipster who sent photo of Vo at the nightly Jan 6 protest outside DC jail to probation office.

Defense says “it’s creepy” that someone flagged probation office

About tipster alerting probation office about Vo attending DC jail Jan 6 protest, defense tells judge “I’m an immigrant to this country” … and such an action by a tipster is creepy and “it bothers me”

Judge Chutkan says she’s an immigrant too and “it doesn’t bother me”

Defense says she does not condone her client’s claim that he was victimized by a “kangaroo court”

Judge Chutkan responds: “I’ve been called worse”

This marathon Jan 6 sentencing hearing continues.

Stand by.

Judge Chutkan has uncorked lengthy, spirited set of remarks here at Vo’s sentencing

After Vo gave brief remarks saying, “I’m sorry January 6 happened”, judge says Vo has “doubled down” on bad behavior, shown little remorse

“I don’t believe Mr Vo thinks the law applies to him”

Judge blisters Vo for not showing remorse for others. She says many Jan 6 defendants express sorrow for themselves, but not for police or Capitol staff or…. “The rest of the country watching in horror” on live TV

Judge Chutkan recounts how she saw Vo smiling at defense table at trial… when a police officer testified powerfully about the Jan 6 riot

Then judge cites Vo’s appearance at the Jan 6 “freedom corner” at DC jail in support of Capitol riot defendants:

Chutkan says Vo was “showing support for dangerous, violent people”

“It’s a small group (in the jail).. they’re there because they’re dangerous”

Judge Chutkan then briefly alluded to the references being made to Jan 6 pretrial inmates as “hostages” … as she explains that the pretrial defendants are being held out of deemed “dangerousness”

She doesn’t mention Trump is the one who began calling them “hostages”

Vo raised his hand (like a student in a classroom) multiple times during judge’s remarks.

Judge chutkan urged defense lawyer to advise Vo that he’s already spoken

Judge urged Vo to “broaden your sources of information” and news

She says “you’re young….”

“You can come back from this”

Defense accused judge Chutkan of being a “more harsh” sentencing judge in Jan 6 cases

Chutkan said she disagrees with that notion, but that the court has discretion at sentencing and will use that discretion

ALERT: Judge Tanya Chutkan sentenced Jan 6 defendant Antony Vo to 9 months prison on his misdemeanor convictions.

Feds sought 11 months. Vo can self surrender to prison at later date. His mom’s Jan 6 case is still active.