HOO BOY: Arraignment now in high-level Jan 6 case of John Banuelos of Illinois, who’s accused of firing gun amid mob outside Capitol
And it went off the rails… with Banuelos concluding: “Trump’s going to be back in office in 6 months, I’ve got nothing to worry about”
(MORE)
And it went off the rails… with Banuelos concluding: “Trump’s going to be back in office in 6 months, I’ve got nothing to worry about”
(MORE)
Banuelos appeared by video feed from jail in Chicago and blasted his appointed defense lawyers, calling them “public pretenders”, said he isn’t being well-represented. “They’re f***ing” with me, he tells judge
The judge is …. Judge Tanya Chutkan
(More)
The judge is …. Judge Tanya Chutkan
(More)
Banuelos tells judge Chutkan, “I fear for my life over in DC”… and questions why he’s likely being transferred to DC from the jail cell in Chicago
Chutkan — multiple times — tries to explain that because the crime is alleged to have occurred in DC, Banuelos must come here
Chutkan — multiple times — tries to explain that because the crime is alleged to have occurred in DC, Banuelos must come here
“Why am I still being held while others aren’t?”, Banuelos asks judge.
Judge explains a magistrate judge determined there was a potential dangerousness or flight risk. Then she mentions gun allegation
Banuelos faces multiple charges connected to “deadly weapon or firearm”
Judge explains a magistrate judge determined there was a potential dangerousness or flight risk. Then she mentions gun allegation
Banuelos faces multiple charges connected to “deadly weapon or firearm”
Judge Chutkan strongly urges Banuelos NOT to serve as his own defense lawyer (pro se) and stick with court appointed attorney. But Banuelos is challenging the judge on each argument. Then he drops an F-bomb. “It’s hard for me to trust my lawyers”…. He adds
Banuelos got the final word in… after his lawyer entered a not guilty plea on Banuelos’s behalf.
Before the video hearing ended, he predicted Trump would be back in office in six months … emphasizing “I have nothing to worry about”
Before the video hearing ended, he predicted Trump would be back in office in six months … emphasizing “I have nothing to worry about”
According to prosecutors, Banuelos was captured on video as he climbed a scaffolding for the inaugural stage at Capitol on Jan 6, waved to the crowd, pulled out his gun and fired two shots in the air
We’ve heard some cryptic references from Jan 6 defendants about the prospect of future pardons. But this wasn’t cryptic. This was an explicit statement before Judge Chutkan by an accused rioter about a Trump return and its impact on a case.
One footnote: Judge Chutkan emphasized that she has no control over how or where the US Marshals move a federal defendant. She added, with a smile, the Marshals are in charge “and even look after me”
Chutkan has suffered threats (one of which led to a federal charge against a Texas woman), after being assigned to Trump federal case in DC
Chutkan has suffered threats (one of which led to a federal charge against a Texas woman), after being assigned to Trump federal case in DC
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
