WHA?

 

The NYT headline reads: "Four More Members of Oath Keepers Convicted of Sedition."

Three of these defendants forced their way into the Capitol building on January 6. One of them was stationed in a hotel room stocked with rifles in case they were needed by the defendants. This was part of the "Quick Reaction Force” strategy.

These defendants were not just "part of the crowd." The evidence was overwhelming that they discussed the possibility of a "revolution" and a “civil war” in the event their assault on the Capitol failed. They were determined that the insurrectionists, not the voters, choose the next president. 

Defendants face 40-60 years in jail for attempting a coup. In almost any other democratic civilization, they would be faced with life imprisonment or death.

Even though it took the jury about 15 hours to distinguish among the plethora of charges against each individual, there was no serious defense. There was no claim that “I didn't do it" or any credible claim of innocence. Instead. their lawyers argued the whole thing was all the fault of their leaders (who had earlier been convicted.) 

But the jury saw through the bullshit and found the defendants attempted to alter our democracy to their personal liking, to hell with the Constitution. They conspired and acted to obstruct the transfer of power and prevent Congress from doing its duty to honor the will of the electorate. It is difficult to think of a more serious challenge to our nation.

I have always thought that the legal concept of bail, whether before trial or after conviction pending appeal, was one in which the court made a decision as to whether the defendant would likely skip town, or whether he or she was a danger to the community. So I was stunned to read that District Judge Mehta, after receiving jury verdicts in which these insurrectionists face a virtual lifetime in jail, declined to detain the criminals prior to sentencing, and instead confined them to house arrest. He found "they pose little flight risk."

Huh? 

I have never appeared before Judge Mehta and know nothing of his reputation at the bar, but his bail decision is absolutely bizarre. These defendants now have every ability to conspire to do something else stupid and/or evil, and they have a powerful incentive to find some way to disappear from their living rooms, with or without an ankle bracelet.

If there is one thing that former president (prospective defendant) Trump said with which I agree, it's "Lock em up."

What's going on here?

A bientot.

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