If there is one thing “the former guy” has proven to the world it is that stupidity is contagious...
Associated Press
Some of the defendants charged in the storming of the U.S. Capitol are turning away defense lawyers and electing to represent themselves, undeterred by their lack of legal training or repeated warnings from judges.
That choice already has led to some curious legal maneuvers and awkward exchanges in court.
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The right to self-representation is a bedrock principle of the Constitution. But a longtime judge cited an old adage in advising a former California police chief that he would have “a fool for a client” if he represented himself.
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The decision by at least five defendants to defend themselves is bound to create a host of challenges, particularly for those behind bars. They risk getting themselves in more legal trouble if they say the wrong thing in court. They have to sift through the mountain of evidence investigators have collected in the attack. And the strategy is already testing judges’ ability to maintain control of their courtrooms.
The problem with stupidity is that one is rarely aware they are afflicted...
WUSA9
Before hearing Hostetter’s request, Lamberth – who was appointed to the D.C. District Court in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and who previously served as its chief judge – told him he had never seen a pro se defendant succeed in court and asked Hostetter’s attorney, Karren Kenney, whether she had counseled him against it.
“I hope you advised him how foolish that is,” Lamberth said, to which she said she had.
They can’t say they weren’t warned...
Business Insider
Brandon Fellows faces a litany of charges stemming from his participation in the January 6 Capitol attack, including a felony count of obstructing an official proceeding. Federal prosecutors allege Fellows entered the Capitol through a broken window and smoked marijuana in Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley's office during the insurrection.
Despite a strenuous warning from US District Judge Trevor McFadden ahead of Tuesday's hearing, Fellows decided to take the stand, where he admitted to additional crimes stemming from his time during the riot, as well as a separate criminal offense in the aftermath.
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After Fellows requested the opportunity to represent himself pro se in the case last month, McFadden granted the defendant's request, despite warning him that his lack of formal law training could have negative consequences on his case. Fellows told the court that he had spent two weeks studying in DC Jail's law library and felt confident in his "maverick decisions..."
Like their hero, they think they’re the smartest in the room...
Law & Crime
A Trump-supporting pizzeria owner from Pennsylvania has been espousing sovereign citizen talking points in various filings and court appearances since her arrest on federal charges in connection with the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol. Pauline Bauer flailed again on Friday and found out that she would remain in jail as a result.
Just one week ago, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Donald Trump appointee, reluctantly revoked Bauer’s pre-trial release because he was “very concerned about [Bauer] being willing to comply with [her] conditions of release.”
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As Washington, D.C. NBC affiliate WRC-TV reporter Scott MacFarlane noted, Bauer’s continued pre-trial jailing is the product of her “uniquely and profoundly self-destructive episode” — specifically, the rejection of sound legal advice and the refusal to acknowledge that America’s laws apply to her.
Be careful what you wish for...
Rome Sentinel
The New Hartford man accused of participating in the Jan. 6 riot and attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. will be allowed to represent himself in Federal Court.
Eric Bochene, of 19 Pinecrest Road, appeared virtually before Judge Randolph D. Moss on Thursday, where he made oral argument to allow himself to be his own attorney, according to court records. Bochene is charged with two counts each of knowingly entering and remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Court records show that Judge Moss granted Bochene his request. Bochene’s former defense attorney, Federal Public Defender John Gilsenan, will act as standby counsel.
The FBI continues to seek the public’s assistance in identifying individuals who participated in unlawful or violent conduct during the Capitol Insurrection.
If you have information about individuals who participated in unlawful actions at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or leave a tip online. You may also submit relevant photos and videos to the FBI here.
If you just can’t get enough information about the terrorists who tried to usurp our democracy, then these links are for you...
Department of Justice Capitol Breach Cases
FBI US Capitol Violence Most Wanted
Insider Searchable Table
George Washington University Spreadsheet Updated Daily
NPR Updated Database
seditiontracker.com
ProPublica Capitol Riot videos taken from Parler