By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Podcast Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
FEDERAL COURT, June 29 -- On June 29 months after the DC Circuit's decision in US v. Munchel, DDC Judge Amit P. Mehta held a bond / detention hearing on defendant Thomas Webster, a former NYPD officer, and released him. The availability of the cited videos to the public remains unclear - a letter is pending before Judge Mehta. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here:
Officer N.R. (read by AUSA) "Mr Webster attempted to tear away my gas mask... While on the ground I looked up to observe the rage in Mr. Webster's face. He pinned me to the ground. I retreated behind our failed police line. He is a retired NYPD officer...
Officer N.R. - Mr Webster was motivated by political ignorance. I am disappointed that a veteran would do this. I feared for my life. He is a risk to the public. My department issued body camera footage. [Where is it? See this filing]
AUSA: I'll explain why we are entitled to a detention hearing... Judge Mehta: You don't need to. I agree with you. Including on dangerous weapon, the defendant's footnote. A flag pole can be a dangerous weapon.
AUSA: The defendant proffers a pistol permit from 2012. It is not clear he was entitled to bring it to his hotel room. Why bring MREs? He has a commendable history in the military and NYPD. He is held to a higher standard.
Judge Mehta: I'm going to start in an unconventional way. I've done more detention hearings than any other District Judge in this courthouse, other than Chief Judge Howell. Make no mistake, this was a riot. Mr Webster's conduct was entirely indefensible
Judge Mehta: He approaches a line of police officers, accuses them of being Communists. He pushes against the barricade. An officer reached out and touched him in the chest, not the face. The flagpole breaks, he rushes forward and assaults the officer.
Judge Mehta: It's right there on video. Anyone can take a look at it. [Really? No answer from Judge Mehta on Public Access to videos (judicial documents) in USA v. Schwartz, 21-cr-178 (APM)
Judge Mehta: All that said, I am the presiding officer in this case. Not the jury. What sort of future risk does he pose? He lost control. The Circuit has made clear in Munchel that I must consider the conditions have changed. Mr. Webster has no previous violence
Judge Mehta: All things considered, release is the norm. I think he can be release, under house arrest.
Judge Mehta: He must turn in firearms. Mr. Webster, I am still utterly mystified by your conduct. You should have known better. Please tell Officer N.R., don't view this decision as undermining his valor. These are the laws, and the precedents of the DC Circuit.
Webster's lawyer: How do I turn in his passport?
Pre-Trial: Send it to us
AUSA: Discovery is essentially complete. We request 60 days to discuss a non-trial disposition.
Judge Mehta: Aug 31 at 2 pm.
We will have more on this.
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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