By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell book
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 13 – 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.
Inner City Press will stay on the case.
It is US v. Bickford, 23-cr-91 (Castel)
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