By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell book
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 9 – Trevor Bickford, on charges of attacking three police officers in NYC's Times Square on New Years Eve with a machete, was presented shackled in Federal court in Manhattan on February 6, 2023 Inner City Press was there.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang read Bickford the charges, then asked about bail or detention.
Not surprisingly, Bickford through his Federal Defender consented to detention - "without prejudice to making an application" for bail later.
Bickford appeared medicated, but spoke clearly when he said "Yes" to if he's seen the complaint against him. His feet and hands were chained, making it difficult to raise his hand to swear to his financial affidavit.
Bickford is 19 years old and according to the complaint began reading the Koran in May 2022, and tried to fly to Jordan to join the jihad - in Afghanistan or closer Syria - in December.
He could not get on the flight and, the complaint says, headed to Times Square on New Years Eve.
On June 6, 2023, Bickford was brought by three US Marshals before the assigned District Judge, P. Kevin Castel. His Federal Defender said she wants to move to dismiss Count 1 as duplicative (Counts 2-4 are about each police officer).
Judge Castel gave her until July 13 to make the motion, and set a September 13 next appearance.
Afterward Bickford asked if he would be back in court on July 13. He looked if anything younger than 19. In the MDC, he cannot read PDFs, his lawyer said.
On September 13, Judge Castel heard arguments on but deferred decision on the defense motion to strike either Count 1, or Counts 2-4. Inner City Press was there, thread:
Judge Castel asking who the intended victims were - military-aged men working for the government? AUSA cites Timothy McVeigh case.
AUSA: He psyched himself up by watching Al Qaeda propadanda video. Then he went to Times Square.
Judge: What about the multiplicity doctrine, or double jeopardy? That you can charge Counts 1, 2 and 3, or Court 1, but not both?
AUSA: We could carve out Officers 1-3
Courtroom note: Bickford in MDC tan is motionless as his lawyers whisper in front of him. Judge: I'll take the motion under advisement. Trial now set for March 18, 2024.
On September 26, Judge Castel ordered: "as to Trevor Thomas Bickford. Defendant Trevor Thomas Bickford moves for an Order dismissing Count One of the Indictment or, alternatively, dismissing Counts Two through Four, arguing that the four counts combined violate the doctrine of multiplicity, which is an aspect of the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment. Defendant's motion is GRANTED to the extent that within 14 days, the government shall file with the Court a consent to the dismissal of either Count One or Counts Two through Four. The Clerk is respectfully directed to terminate the motion. (ECF 27.) (Signed by Judge P. Kevin Castel on 9/26/2023)."
On October 10, the SDNY prosecutors wrote in and dropped Count One: "Attempted Murder of Officers and Employees of the US Government." They will proceed on Counts 2-4.
On October 12, Judge Castel docketed: "MEMO ENDORSEMENT as to Trevor Thomas Bickford on re: [33] Letter filed by USA...ENDORSEMENT...Count One is dismissed with prejudice."
And count 1 was not in there when Bickford pleaded guilty on January 11, 2024: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge P. Kevin Castel: Change of Plea Hearing as to Trevor Thomas Bickford held on 1/11/2024. Plea entered by Trevor Thomas Bickford Defendant changes not guilty plea and pleads guilty to Counts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Indictment. Defendant admits forfeiture order in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Indictment. Sentencing is scheduled for April 11."
It was moved to May 9, and on April 25 the Federal Defenders wrote in to ask for a ten year sentence for Bickford, describing him saving a life in the MDC in December 2023.
On May 3, the US Attorney's Office said that 600 months - 50 years - is the minimum appropriate sentence. His TOR searches are included, and another witness statement: "our daughter is in therapy for anxiety."
On May 9 Bickford got 27 years: "TREVOR BICKFORD was sentenced today to 27 years in prison for attempting to kill officers and employees of the U.S. Government and persons assisting them during his brazen attack using a machete-style knife against three New York City Police Department officers in Times Square on December 31, 2022."
Inner City Press will stay on the case.
It is US v. Bickford, 23-cr-91 (Castel)
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