In DC Insurrection Case Morss Wants Release, Parents Cite Penn State & Bob Ross, Puffy Trees
The AUSA brought up new text messages about armor plate carrying tactical vest, so the defense has a day to respond. Inner City Press will stay on the case(s)
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon PodcastSong
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FEDERAL COURT, July 13 -- On July 13 months after the DC Circuit's decision in US v. Munchel, DDC Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey had before him Capitol breach defendant Robert Morss - and his parents.
Both parents testified under oath, about a road trip with Robert and his substitute teaching after graduating from Penn State. The US brought up new text messages about a tactical vest that carried armored plates. Morss and his lawyer will get that, and redacted into the docket, then reconvene. Inner City Press live tweeted it here:
"On January 4 he asked, 'Do you have walkie talkies?' MORSS replied, 'Just bring food, water and medical sh*t... I have my plate carrier."
Judge Harvey: Plate carrier? A: Tactical vest that can carry a metal plate. Defense objects. "Are you saying it had plates on Jan 6?" Assistant US Attorney: He wore a tactical vest. He was not arrested so we don't know what was in it.
Now AUSA is quoting text messages that Morss' lawyer hasn't seen yet, quoting Morss that he might flee the country, "I'm wigging out... I may take a little vacation." The government believes he is a flight risk The texts are from Jan 24-25
Judge Harvey says he has asked the Clerk to seal the defense's submission.
Now defendant's mother, Angela Morss. She says Robert's brother Paul is with the US Air Force in Italy. Morss' lawyer (Q) Did Robert enter military? Angela Morss (A) Yes. He did 3 tours
Angela Morss: Robert went to Penn State, he wanted to be a teacher... He graduated in Dec 2020. He got a substitute teaching job in "Glenshaw" in late January 2021. Then he was arrested June 11.
Angela Morss: Robert dressed up like that guy with the puffy tree, make friends with a tree [Bob Ross]. Q: Was he involved with veterans? Angela Morss: Yes, he volunteers. He was in a dance-a-thon. I could go on and on.
Angela Morss: I have retired and I have moved to my son's apartment, praying that the court will see fit that I could be custodially responsible. I would be comfortable with home confinement. I could take him to appointments. Inner City Press
Now Robert's father, Andrew Morss. Q: Are you now in Nevada? Andrew Morss: In Sparks. Q: Did Robert come to Nevada after the military?
Andrew: Yes. Then he went to Penn State to become a history teacher. We drove cross country: Mt Rushmore, Tom Jefferson's house
AUSA has declined to cross examine either parent. Morss' lawyer defers argument until she get the texts the government is citing. Judge Harvey: File them in docket, in redacted form. Today.
The Morss case will reconvene tomorrow, after his lawyer sees the texts. Then Judge Harvey will set a time a day or two after that to read his decision.
We will have more on this.
Inner City Press live tweeted Riley June Williams on January 25, here.
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From January 22, song here: Thread here.
InnerCityPress · Insurrection Blues, by Matthew Russell Lee
Inner City Press' John Earle Sullivan song on SoundCloud here.
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