Julian Assange expected to be in Saipan this week. We’ll have full coverage from Saipan on @kuamnews
Roughly 40 people in the main courtroom right now with less than half an hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin. Some already in overflow room where there is a live feed.
U.S. Probation Officer Juanette F. David-Atalig entered courtroom.
US Attorneys have entered the courtroom.
Lots of conversations among those in the courtroom minutes before Assange hearing begins.
Last two seats in main courtroom are taken.
Still waiting for Assange and Judge to enter courtroom.
Assange arrives in courtroom
Assange is reviewing documents with his attorney.
NMI District Court Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona enters.
Judge says every district court has jurisdiction over subject matter of this case. She said CNMI U.S. District Court is smallest, youngest, and furthest from nations capital
U.S. Attorney McKenzie says case brought to Saipan bc case is close to Australia and says it is an appropriate venue for the proceedings.
Assange rises to be sworn in by clerk
Judge reminds Assange he is under oath after he is sworn in and begins to answer personal background questions.
Assange says he has not faced any threats or made any promises to waive his right to prosecution by indictment. He consents to prosecution by information.
Judge reminds Assange of his right to remain silent
[ Assange says he was not placed under arrest upon his arrival into Saipan.
[ Assange says he was not placed under arrest upon his arrival into Saipan.
Assange said he is ready to enter a guilty plea in CNMI US District Court.
Assange says he has read the plea agreement “at great length." He signed the document at the airport in UK, June 24 (June 25 Saipan time)
Judge reminds Assange that as he sits here now he is still presumed innocent.
Judge asked Assange what Assange did to constitute crime charged: "Working as a journalist I encouraged my source to provide information that was said to be classified in order to publish that information. I believe that the First Amendment protected that activity… "
Assange added in Saipan court, " I believe the First Amendment and the Espionage Act are in contradiction with each other but I accept that it would be difficult to win such a case given all these circumstances."
U.S. Attorneys are now reading out the timeline of the conspiracy charge.
US Attorney McKenzie says once the sentenced is pronounced the US will move to dismiss the indictment in Eastern District of Virginia.
Judge says she plans to take 15 min break before going into final stage of plea soon.
BREAKING: Assange rises in court, enters guilty plea in conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified information relating to the national defense of the U.S.
Judge accepts plea.
Court is now in a 20 min break. Returns 11:10 AM
Assange hearing resumes.
@kuamnews Assange Atty said, "I think the court is aware that Mr. Assange has already suffered significant consequences including as we discussed his time in Belmarsh..we believe...no further incarceration is warranted and sentence for time served is appropriate.”
@kuamnews @kuamnews Assange approaches bench for sentence to be read.
@kuamnews @kuamnews Judge said “timing matters.” Also government indicated that there is no “personal victim here.” So the action did not result in any known physical injury. Two relevant facts.
@kuamnews @kuamnews “Given the factual basis that accounts the whole saga of events that constitutes the basis for this very serious espionage charge against you…I am in fact sentencing you to a period of time served,” Judge said. “I am not imposing any period of supervised release."
“You will be able to walk out of this courtroom a free man,” Judge said to Assange.
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