By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Letter
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 28 - Sayfullo Saipov after being found guilty on 28 counts now faces a penalty phase that may result in the death penalty for killing eight people with a van along the West Side Highway.
On May 4, 2022 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Vernon S. Broderick held a conference on the case and Inner City Press live tweeted it here.
On January 26, Saipov was found guilty on all counts, after jury questions about whether he did it to join or advance himself in ISIS or not. That will be a major issues, along with any mitigation, in the penalty phase.
But in the penalty phase, on February 21 members of the media were not allowed into the courtroom, only to elsewhere in the courtroom where a feed shows only part of the courtroom. Inner City Press, the first of many media in opposition, wrote to Judge Broderick, here
Here's from the day's testimony, after which Judge Broderick said the press can have a bench in the back, thread here.
On February 28 as part of the defense case, an expert on Central Asia testified. Thread here:
Jury entering! Judge Broderick: The defense' next witness...
Noah Tucker - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs
Assistant US Attorney: Did you review the ISIS propaganda on Mr. Saipov's phone in this case?
Tucker: I did. There is pseudo news, and direct ISIS recruiting materials, mostly from Telegram channels.
Noah Tucker: On some videos, ISIS left in the concluding credit, asking the view to donate to Amnesty International. They like that. Now defense expert Noah Tucker is being cross examined.
AUSA: Your research has shown that in "social media communities," like the Uzbek Facebook, there was an anti-ISIS message being promoted, correct?
Tucker: Yes. Not everyone stood by and watched it happen Re-direct Tucker: The Uzbek government is not effective in combatting terrorism, it does not distinguish between real terrorists and devout people. They make up Jihadist groups.
Judge Broderick lets the jury go - then tells counsel that he'd like to tell them that next week they'll hear summations and get the case (to decide on death penalty)
Now as lawyers' arguments continue, the Federal Defenders say they waive the appearance of Mr. Saipov - and he says, in English, "I want to leave."
Judge Broderick: Marshals, you may transport Mr. Saipov.
FD Dalack: El Chapo was flown out quickly after conviction -- Judge Broderick: That may have had something to do with him having escaped with a motorcycle and a tunnel, and shutting down the Brooklyn Bridge during his transport. FD: I'm not trying to compare the 2
Judge Broderick: The parties should confer on a possible stipulation [about administrative punishment of Saipov in prison for infractions] and if you can't decide, I'll do it tomorrow. Adjourned
Inner City Press will stay on the case.
The case is US v. Saipov, 17-cr-722 (Broderick)
Watch this site
Saipov, courtesy to Inner City Press by Elizabeth Williams
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