In DC Insurrection Case UCLA Student Secor Wins Freedom on Appeal Ghost Gun Cited, Documents Sealed
The sealed documents, seemingly from UCLA, were replied on and hence are judicial documents. Inner City Press may seek to unseal, as it has successfully in SDNY
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon PodcastSong
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
FEDERAL COURT, March 24 – Minutes into a break in the impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate, accused insurrectionist Domenic Pezzola was ordered detained until trial by Magistrate Judge Robin M. Meriweather. Inner City Press live tweeted it, below. There was an appeal.
Now on March 24, UCLA student Christian Secor appealed and got reversed his order of detention in the Central District of California. His memo said, "Christian Secor is a 22-year old college student at UCLA." Memo on Patreon, here.
But during the March 24 proceeding it emerged that documents contradicting this have been allowed to be sealed, through relied on as judicial documents. We may oppose, like this. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here:
AUSA says Secor was planning to flee.
Judge Trevor N. McFadden cuts in: You mean where he says, even if I go away, if they want me, they'll get me?
AUSA: He told agents about fleeing to Oregon. He has access to money from several sources.
AUSA: Secor has made purchases at gun stores. And he has only one registered fire arm. In California one can manufacture one's own gun - but then must take it in to register it. Judge: Is that different than in Virginia? AUSA: My understanding is limited.
AUSA: There is Go-Pro video that indicates he has access to an AR-15 style rifle. Defense: The government alerted me Secor is not a student in good standing at UCLA. The exhibit the government filed under seal is correct. [Inner City Press: Why under seal?]
So UCLA has given Secor 5 days after release from detention to make some presentation - for now, the details are under seal. Judge McFadden says providing incorrect information undermines credibility. Defense: Yes, it makes my job more difficult.
Secor's lawyer: The photo of my client with an AR-15 style rifle is from three years ago. His father lives in Montana, where such guns are legal. As they are in California. And there's no sign of it since.
[There was a break after Secor tried to speak for himself.] After a break-out meeting: Secor's lawyer: He is not anti-government. That is not what "ultra-secret" meant. He is a member of campus organizations, allowed by UCLA. The US has not shown that he is a danger
Secor's lawyer: In California, the finding which we are appealing is that he is a risk of flight, not a danger. They did not find that he possessed the ghost gun. It's difficult because I cannot refer to the things that are unseal. He was on his way to graduation
Secor's lawyer: We proposed release with $300,000 surety, home confinement... If ghost guns are a problem, that's a bigger problem. He has not been charged in California. Release him, instead of transfer to DC jail, it would be a shock for him
Assistant US Attorney: On his cell phone, there's new evidence of danger and risk of flight. And his purchases from gun stores. If he is just a student trying to get back to school, we are concerned that PayPal and E-Bay [accounts] show something else is happening
Judge McFadden, ruling: The defendant has appealed his detention. He entered the well of the Senate and sat on the dais. He was with a group pushing open doors in the Congress building. But there's no evidence, in this case, that any of the officers were injured
Judge McFadden: He is more high profile because he sat on the dais. I do not think that makes him more dangerous. I have held individuals who assaulted police officers. This defendant's actions are different. This factor weighs against detention.
Judge McFadden: Secor has no criminal history. He is or has been a college student. The government points to his deleted Twitter - I don't find that relevant. It's almost standard practice. He may have talked about flee, but he did not flee. [I'm betting release]
Judge McFadden: Finally, there were weapons found, including a ghost gun. This raises a lot of questions. But he didn't bring any guns on January 6. I need to be mindful of the Second Amendment.
Judge McFadden: I am granting defendant Secor's motion for release. Assistant US Attorney: We are asking for a stay-away from DC except for case related, a prohibition on firearms during the pendency of the case.
Judge McFadden: The defendant is released but ordered to stay away from DC except for court proceedings. Sir, if I were you, just use butter knives for the next few months.
Judge McFadden: He is to be released on $200,000 secured bond and pay the cost of location monitoring. No narcotic drugs, and follow all laws of the US and applicable state and local law. Surrender passport.
Lawyer: He should be able to travel to DC to meet with his lawyer. Judge McFadden: OK. Assistant US Attorney: We suggest going out 60 days. We are reviewing several devices. And any discussion of disposition prior to trial. Defense: How about 75 days out? Judge McFadden: OK, Monday, June 14 at 2 pm.
Defense: Can Mr. Secor do it by Zoom?
Judge McFadden: OK. If he wants to go to trial I am happy to accommodate him. Adjourned.
We will have more on this.
Inner City Press live tweeted Riley June Williams on January 25, here.
InnerCityPress · Jeffrey Sabol, insurrection Blues III, by Matthew Russell Lee
From January 22, song here: Thread here.
InnerCityPress · Insurrection Blues, by Matthew Russell Lee
Inner City Press' John Earle Sullivan song on SoundCloud here.
InnerCityPress · John Sullivan Insurrection Blues II by Matthew Russell Lee
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