By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Podcast
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
FEDERAL COURT, Sept 10 – Back on March 5, so-called QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley had a detention hearing before DDC Judge Royce Lamberth, who questioned Chansley's Clayton, Missouri-based retained counsel Albert Watkins about allegedly disobeying orders and allowing 60 Minutes to film and interview Chansley during an attorney client video call from the jail to Watkins' office.
Judge Lamberth put into the docket the Feb 10 email to Chansley's lawyer's firm, that interviews had to go through US Marshals Service & be approved by judge, email on Patreon, here
But now there are sealed exhibits, and off the record talks. On September 3, citing these, Chansley pled guilty, with a sentencing on November 17 at 10 am. Inner City Press live tweeted it here and below (podcast here)
Now on September 10 Judge Lamberth has docketed his order keeping Chansley detained pending trial, calling him the QAnon mascot and putting weight on the person shouting "Freedom!" on the call-in line on September 3, as proof that Chansley has access to money to flee. We'll have more on this. Order here.
From September 3: now Jan 6 case of so-called QAnon Shaman, Jacob Chansley - he is prepared to plead guilty before DDC Judge Lamberth, by phone. On the line, somehow yells, "Freedom!" Now everyone is muted
Defense lawyer Albert Watkin says Chansley has reviewed the psych evaluation. Judge Lamberth: Mr. Chansley, I have to determine if you are competent. Chansley: I am very appreciative for the court's willingness to have me and my mental vulnerabilities evaluated
Chansley: I hope you weren't offended by anything I told the psychologist. Judge Lambert: I was not. Chansley: Thank you for what you are doing for out country. Judge Lamberth: The plea agreement has a mistake. You are pleading to Count Two, obstruction.
Judge Lamberth: You are charged with corruptly seeking to obstruction and impede Congress with threats and remaining in a restricted building, and disorderly conduct - do you understand? Chansley: Yes Your Honor. Judge Lamberth: Maximum penalty twenty years.
Judge Lamberth: Please describe the agreement. Watkins: I reviewed it with my client. The government acknowledges we can argue for pre-sentence release. Judge Lamberth: I'll take that under advisement. I've had a discussion off the record...
Judge Lamberth: You've signed a statement of offense. Is what what really happened, & you are guilty of? Chansley: Yes. Judge Lamberth: I enter a finding of guilty. I'll consider release, since you have not pled to a crime of violence. I'll listen to your motion.
AUSA: Under our agreement, any new filing would be breech. Judge Lamberth: OK, I'll go on what I have. The motion is under seal. Can you argue an unsealed part of that? Watkins: There's a sealed exhibit to the motion. [The whole exhibit is sensitive mental info?]
Watkins: We had an honest discussion off the record. [Also - is that appropriate? The basis for release or detention? Was it as least transcribed, so if the DC Circuit were to say to release it, they could?]
Watkins: I have identified a family he can stay with, a family with their own adult child with special needs.He will be monitored during the pre-sentence period. A psycho-therapist will deal with the psych issues in a non dilatory way
Watkins: To help Mr. Watkins, we have a former FBI agent, in geographical proximity to me, to put Mr. Chansley in a position of knowledge. We ask for pre-sentence release. AUSA: We wanted the motion dealt with before the plea. No more need for counsel access
AUSA: He's been incarcerated 8 months, a guideline sentence would be much more. We are concerned about safety of the community and return to court, for the imminent sentencing. We filed this under seal. [How can all this be sealed, in a criminal case?]
Watkins: We did have our private in virtual chambers discussion with the court [Inner City Press: Bad practice - should be transcribed]
Watkins: He was not a planner or organizer. We need to discuss the pre-sentence report, and for humanitarian reasons
Watkins: The US military has known that Mr. Chansley has a personality disorder. I want to get him healed.
Judge Lamberth: I'll take it under advisement and rule later. Adjourned
Inner City Press has uploaded the plea agreement, to 41 to 51 months, here
Inner City Press live tweeted March 5 it, here:
Chansley's lawyer Watkins: Trump convinced people like my client that something was occurring that, if true, would have justified their actions. You have high tens of thousands of people who went to the Capitol because they believed our President.
Chansley's lawyer: There are people who sold online property they stole in the Capitol, and they are free, brushing their teeth in this home. My client never used a flag in a violent fashion. It is not a spear. You can characterize things anyway you want
Chansley's lawyer: You can't lump all of them under one moniker. There is no one else currently being held who was not violent, did not have weapons. The flag is not a spear.
Chansley's lawyer: My client owns it. He has apologized and showed his face without paint. This is as strong a case for pre-trial release as any out of January 6.
Judge Lamberth: The Marshal asked me if I gave permission for Chansley to be interviewed by 60 Minutes. How did that come about? It seems you did it as a subterfuge, in your office, by video.
Chansley's lawyer Watkins: There was no subterfuge. There was no interview in the jail.
Judge Lamberth: The facility was told it was an attorney client interview.
Chansley's lawyer: I didn't tell them it was an interview with 60 Minutes.
Judge Lamberth: I'm sure you didn't. I'm going to file this in the record today. They told you in advance.
Chansley's lawyer: I admit I took all the steps with 60 Minutes.
Judge Lamberth: I'll put this into the record for your response. And I'll rule as quickly as possible. Adjourned.
We'll 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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