By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Podcast Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
FEDERAL COURT, Feb 11 -- On Wednesday, February 16, DDC Judge Amit P. Mehta had before his the case of Capitol breach defendant and Oath Keeper Elmer Stewart Rhodes, on a resumed detention hearing. Inner City Press live tweeted it here (previous podcast here) (TV Q&A here)
Assistant US Attorney: We seek to detail Rhodes on three prongs: presumption (gun), risk of flight, and risk of obstruction. This was an attack on the US Capitol. The weapons held by the quick reaction force were not purely for defensive purpose. They were prepared to do battle to stop transfer of power regardless of what the President may have done or said.
Judge Mehta: So why didn't Mr. Rhodes activate the force?
AUSA: They were able to delay the proceeding without using guns. 19 people affiliated with Mr. Rhodes breached the Capitol. For them, this was one battle in a wider war, they said on Signal.
AUSA: They were prepared to go to the Capitol and use at the very least intimidation. Here's a quote not in the indictment: Trump "must know that if he fails to act, we will."
USA: The defendant said, "Be prepared for a major let down between Jan 6 and Jan 8. With Trump, or without, we have no choice." On the 6th, when there had been no call to arms by President Trump, the building in breached and Mr. Rhodes says approving things.
Judge Mehta: Some defendants say they entered after hearing that Ashli Babbitt was shot, and they wanted to try to provide medical assistance... AUSA: The defendant said, "Tar and feather the tax collectors. Next comes our Lexington. It is coming."
AUSA: The defendant said patriots should get ham radios. Defense lawyer: There was bombastic language but no conspiracy. The Oath Keepers were meticulous about not breaking the law.
Defense lawyer: The Oath Keepers went to Louisville Kentucky to protect people. Ferguson too. Then they were ready if Antifa or BLM went kinetic. Judge Mehta: So the QRF was a reserve force? I'm not sure there is a DC law permitting that.
Judge Mehta: I am not an expert in the Insurrection Act. Defense lawyer: Neither am I. Judge Mehta: Are you saying the US knew, at the same time, that there were QRFs on stand by in November? Defense: They learned that after January 6. But suddenly the US says the November one was a risk, too. Ed Vallejo reached out.
Defense: Mr. Rhoades can't even get on a flight without having a conversation with DHS. So conditions for release can be found. I've provided a list of family members he could stay with.
Defense: Mr. Rhoades probably won't waive his speedy trial rights. He wants to answer these charges. AUSA: We have concerns about 3d party custodian. And again, the defendant said he wanted to follow the path of the Founding Fathers.
AUSA: The operations leader wrote, "were stormgin the capitol." There's no apostrophe but we believe one was meant. Judge Mehta: If Kelly Meggs acted on his own, doesn't it change things? AUSA: There are 100s of 1000s of message in these chats.
AUSA: The political situation in this country has not changed much since January 6 [2021] There are the photos of guns on Joshua James' phone. Defense: Mr. Rhoades has not done anything since Jan 20, 2021. Judge Mehta: He's laid low
Judge Mehta: Meggs and Watkins, they weren't left out to say they did nothing since. In a murder case, we don't say, The defendant hasn't committed any murder since. Defense: They looked at him from Jan 9 on and he didn't go into hiding Judge Mehta: I want to think about this. I'd like the potential third party custodians interviewed for adequacy.
Defense starts planning ahead, but --
Judge Mehta: If I were to release him, he is not going to be working. Let's reconvene Feb 18 at 1 pm, if the facility can hook him in. I'll be out next week.
Inner City Press previously published a song about Guy Reffitt, here.
Inner City Press live tweeted Riley June Williams on January 25, here.
From January 22, song here: Thread here.
Inner City Press' John Earle Sullivan song on SoundCloud here.
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