*Updated NOV 29 in comments*
DAY 1
The jury selection began last month and the trial begins today, october 3, with presentation of the charges of each of the first 5 defendants to the jury. U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta is presiding.
SEPT. 3: Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Jessica Watkins,Thomas Caldwell.
NOV. 29: Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel, Edward Vallejo.
For highlights from someone who is there live: Brandi Buchman, Daily Kos Staff, LIVE: Follow along with the Oath Keeper seditious conspiracy trial. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/10/3/2126660/-LIVE-Follow-along-with-the-Oath-Keeper-seditious-conspiracy-trial
Or see Brandi's play by play live tweets here: https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman/status/1576916673944113153 ( I am not on Twitter but use and peruse it for info, and have just learned that clicking on the last tweet will refresh with the new entries ... arrrgh!)
To find your favourite news source and other live Tweets from the trial, scroll here:
https://twitter.com/search?q=Oath%20Keeper%20trial&src=typed_query
Were I a jury member, these would be very important notations:
Dec. 2020, Rhodes wrote that tRUMP “needs to know that if he fails to act, then we will.” In early Jan. he warned a “final nail” would be put in the “coffin of this Republic,” unless they fought their way out. “With Trump (preferably) or without him, we have no choice,” Rhodes wrote, “Be prepared for a major let down on the 6-8th. And get ready to do it OURSELVES.”
Updated sentencing:
Stewart Rhodes Sentence: 18 years prison and 36 months of supervised release.
Kelly Meggs Sentence: 12 years prison and 36 months of supervised release.
Jessica Watkins Sentence: 8½ years prison and 36 months of supervised release.
Kenneth Harrelson Sentence: 4 years prison and 24 months of supervised release.
Thomas Caldwell.Sentence: TBD
Roberto Minuta Sentence: 54 months prison and 36 months of supervised release
Joseph Hackett Sentence: 42 months prison and 36 months of supervised release.
David Moerschel Sentence: 3 years prison and 36 months of supervised release
Edward Vallejo Sentence: 3 years prison and 36 months of supervised release
(About Kelly Meggs wife... 'Court records show Connie Meggs received two sentences, which will run concurrently [will serve them at the same time] stemming from separate charges — one for 15 months and the other for 12 months. Both sentences come with 36 months of supervised release.' The URL shows how she threw her husband under the bus. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/08/30/central-florida-woman-sentenced-to-more-than-a-year-in-prison-for-jan-6-capitol-attack/
Even though she was found guilty in March of her most agregious charges, the POS judge Mehta felt -boo hoo- it was all so harsh and ignored all of that ... What a freaking disappointing Obama appointment. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/politics/2023/03/20/4-guilty-of-conspiracy-in-latest-oath-keepers-jan-6-trial/
Jan.6 Oathkeeper trial...Jury finds Seditious Conspiracy
After a month long trial and 3 days of deliberation, Oathkeeper leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs were both found guilty of Seditious Conspiracy. They will doubtfully NOT spend the full 20 years behind bars, but this charge will keep alive a watchful eye on the right rather than the ridiculous harassment that tRUMP saddled anti fascists with. (tRUMP wanted them labelled domestic terrorists, scuttled investigation into the altrigtht, and weaponized the DOJ. to do his bidding)
Daily Kos Staff writer, Brandi Buchman, has the story and all the other charges that were dropped. *Some stuck, but sadly way too few. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/11/29/2137832/-Oath-Keepers-Elmer-Stewart-Rhodes-Kelly-Meggs-found-guilty-of-seditious-conspiracy
Jan.6 Oathkeeper trial...Jury finds Seditious Conspiracy
After a month long trial and 3 days of deliberation, Oathkeeper leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs were both found guilty of Seditious Conspiracy. They will doubtfully NOT spend the full 20 years behind bars, but this charge will keep alive a watchful eye on the right rather than the ridiculous harassment that tRUMP saddled anti fascists with. (tRUMP wanted antifa and dems labelled domestic terrorists, scuttled investigation into the altright, and weaponized the DOJ. to do his bidding)
Daily Kos Staff writer, Brandi Buchman, has the story and all the other charges that were dropped. *Some stuck, but sadly way too few. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/11/29/2137832/-Oath-Keepers-Elmer-Stewart-Rhodes-Kelly-Meggs-found-guilty-of-seditious-conspiracy
Hopefully Americans have been following the trial to some extent. Yesterday, the prosecution rested its case of seditious conspiracy of some Pathkeepers without calling any of the plea deal "cooperating" witnesses they intended to take the stand. It is cringeworthy to say the least, but likely because there is a lot of money floating around that comes from all kinds of sources and countries that no one seems to track. After these last 7 or so years, should anyone call THAT comment a conspiracy, I have several bridges for sale in several countries at discount prices!
I am not a lawyer, but would presume they were hostile witnesses awaiting a payout for not following through and eventually a tRUMP pardon as promised. American justice, whereby achieving the highest office of the land by duoing AMericans to not believe your criminal past because you were once an informant and are rich, allows you to surround yourself with criminals you can pardon than who then help you plan a coup to KEEP you in that power position. (Flynn, Stone, Bannon et al) I have to say my mind is boggled!
Today, Elmer Stewart Rhodes, the Oathkeepers leader, a lawyerin (abandoned his legal career, and was disbarred) , a former aide to Rand Paul, and someone who founded the group in 2009, oddly coinciding with the Obama presidency. But, he says he cannot be racist as he has both Mexican and Filipino heritage. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/elmer-stewart-rhodes
PS:
PPS: Also, about not being a racist...
PPPS: Walt Nauta, (Read more here) who moved boxes from a storage room in Maralago after the DOJ subpoena, has the same lawyer as Kash Patel, Dan Scavino, Oath Keeper Kelly Meggs, Peter Navarro and who knows who else? Lawyer Stanley Woodward. Rather then send you to the NYT piece, this is a far better read,and likely more accurate than the tRUMP fluffers at the NYT. https://secondnexus.com/doj-witnesses-trump-documents-case
All of this gives me great pause, and I am Canadian. tRUMP and the GOP and your lax laws are allowing a circle of the wagons rather than justice. Who is paying those lawyers? Why is no one cooperating? (as if we do not know. This is how tRUMP always wins. Deny, deflect, delay, threaten, coerce, surround yourself with lawyers, and then destroy the opposition with blackmail or by whatever means possible.)
Back to the trial:
It was a short time on the stand as Friday trial times end at noon. Rhodes will resume is egotistical and self-promotional defense on Monday.
Brandi Buchman, Senior staff writer @dailykos, play by play Twitter thread of the trial here: https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman/status/1588492093294526464
Her highlights of the day are here: https://www.dailykos.com/users/brandi%20buchman
Roger Parloff, Senior editor Lawfare, adds play by play thread of the trial daily here: https://twitter.com/rparloff/status/1588153458288467969
Brandi Buchman, Senior staff writer @dailykos, play by play Twitter threads of the trial daily will be here: https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman Her highlights of the day are here: https://www.dailykos.com/users/brandi%20buchman
Roger Parloff, Senior editor Lawfare, also adds play by play threads of the trial daily here: https://twitter.com/rparloff
A huge majority of Republicans enjoyed watching the insurrection on January 6. At least 1/3 are still aligned with tRUMP, including most of the GQP leadership, communication staff and Reps. Many Americans are shrugging their shoulders and believing the RW circle jerk of disinformation. I would hope that the large majority beyond them are good people ... and are staying at least partially engaged in the trials. My hopes for America, however, are on as fine as thread as its Democracy.
All three branches of Government were involved in the Jan 6 attempted coup, as Thomas compromised himself.
One can only imagine how many in the DOJ, Secret Service, FBI, CIA, Capitol police and other law enforcement personnel were involved and how many at the state levels. 30 of those close to tRUMP who were subpoenaed and showed plead the 5th.
It is shameful and disgraceful and above all dangerous... and unless there are ramifications, it will happen again...
Catturd, who is as foul as his name, is a RW Twitter Q/GQP "influencer."
Day 5 - The Oathkeeper's Seditious Conspiracy Trial
FBI Special Agents Byron Cody and Justin Eller will testify today of the communications that led to the charges that were laid. Before the jury was called in, Stewart Rhodes is trying another tactic. He and the acting leader of the oathkeepers are both lawyers and are attempting to keep very important facts from the jury by trying to use lawyer client privilege. Fortunately Sorrelle was not the oathkeeper's lawyer at that time. Judge Mehra called it a ruse...
This message is exasperating, as some CHP officers were MAGA and some seemed to be happy to see the insurrectionists. Being the preparation for Jan 6 by capitol police was sub standard and totally inadequate , and no extra barricades were put up (bicycle type only) and no extra agents were on duty - there had to have been some "preprogrammed ineptness" from their leadership.
Oath Keeper Jessica Watkins in Dec 31 text replies to Siekerman in the Jan 6 op chat:
"DC Metro PD are not our friends, no. Capitol Hill PD are awesome though!"
Brandi's live play by play reporting of the trial day 3 begins here: https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman/status/1579832858533036032
For an easier read of highlights, read here: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/10/11/2128261/-LIVE-Follow-along-for-Day-5-of-the-Oath-Keepers-sedition-trial
Day 4 - The Oathkeeper's Seditious Conspiracy Trial
Today, more evidence is laid out highlighting the violent rhetoric of Oathkeeper leader, Stewart Rhodes and the 2 open letters he wrote to tRUMP. It was a shortened trial day that ended before lunch. Trial resumes Tuesday, October 11.
Brandi's live play by play reporting of the trial day 3 begins here: https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman/status/1578336947918884864
For an easier read of highlights, read here: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/10/7/2127493/-LIVE-Follow-along-for-Day-Four-of-the-Oath-Keepers-sedition-trial
Day 3 - The Oathkeeper's Seditious Conspiracy Trial
I was hoping that having mentioned finding notes in Caldwell's about assuring there were enough porto-potties would open up the evidence that Calwell had made a death wish list in his planning notebook.
Sadly the judge had earlier struck it being allowed as evidence under the charge filed and said it would be prejudicial for the jury to see it. Judge Mehta still agrees with his original assessment.
FYI, Calwell himself called it a death list.
The Zello radio transmission where an Oathjkeeper says, "All members are in the tunnel, seal them in, turn on the gas" is played.
Former Oath Keeper John Zimmerman testifies that Stewart Rhodes had a contact in the Secret Service who would advise him if tRUMP invoked the Insurrection Act.
The Bitch-uation Room offers humour and a 'lil speculation
Brandi's live play by play reporting of the trial day 3 begins here: https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman/status/1578017391526973442
For an easier read of highlights, read here: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/10/6/2127292/-LIVE-Follow-along-for-Day-Three-of-the-Oath-Keepers-sedition-trial
Day 2 of the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial
Follow along with live updates with Brandi Buchman
Or visit her live play by play on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman/status/1577296835940700164
Twitter decided using a bad word that Jessica Watkins said is a good excuse to cut into a thread. Here it continues... https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman/status/1577312231343235075
Trial will be back in session Thursday, with a half day on Friday ending at 12:30.