I've painstakingly gone through six weeks of my trial notes to put this synopsis together, focusing primarily on what you have not been seeing or hearing from the mainstream media about the Oath Keepers trial. I hope you'll share this widely and help get the word out.
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Part 2 of transcript below:
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DAY NINETEEN . . . before the jury is seated, Judge Mehta, rules - with regards to certain inflammatory statements made by Caldwell, Meggs, and Watkins - they should have been aware of potential criminal liability in making those statements and even claims about their activities which they actually never did, or followed through with, or even believed to be true. They could be argued to be “co-conspiratorial” statements.
Agent Harris is back on the stand for further cross exams, and he acknowledges seeing the OKs leaving the Capitol grounds by about 3:30pm - long before the violence at the west tunnel was concluded. This, despite previous assertions from Agent Drew that the OKs “were not done” with their “assault on the Capitol,” and intended to return to “occupy DC.” Neither of which happened.
The government then called Jason Alpers - who I believe to be a 3rd CHS in this case. He’s spent 6.5 years in Special Ops, then worked for various private defense contractors.
In short, on the evening of January 10th - while back in Texas - Alpers met with Stewart Rhodes and others in a parking lot at night. The reason for the meeting is that Alpers claimed to have special ‘back door’ access to President Trump, and was willing to take a message from Rhodes to the president. Basically a lengthy message from Rhodes imploring Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act - to go down in history as the one who saved the Republic . . . etc., etc.
Not only was Alpers secretly taping this encounter, but Rhodes used Alpers own phone to type out a lengthy message to Trump. Rhodes rhetoric was highly inflammatory - to which he would later claim was fueled by alcohol and anger at Trump for not already having taken action, and invoking the Insurrection Act.
Under cross, Alpers claimed he sat on this secret recording and typed message for months before contacting the FBI. He didn’t turn them over until May.
Under government redirect, Alpers was asked why he never forwarded those messages to Trump. He explained that he didn’t agree with the rhetoric or the message contained therein.
No one ever asked him to prove or explain his “back door” access to Trump.
DAY NINETEEN continues with the government calling FBI Special Agent John Moore to the stand. There’s nothing significantly different about his testimony, which most specifically dealt with his investigation of Jessica Watkins’ activities leading up to, on, and after J6.
This just so happened to be the morning I came down with a bout of food poisoning, and I missed most of the afternoon’s direct examination.
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DAY TWENTY . . . began with continued cross exams of Agent Moore. He was highly aggressive and evasive in his responses to Attorney Fischer. Fischer, being the most skilled of all the defense attorneys at cross examination - actually teaching law classes on the subject - eventually eviscerates Agent Moore into a more humble demeanor. It was an actual masterclass in cross-exam techniques.
Fischer then began taking Agent Moore through a series of chat slides and pieces of evidence from yesterday, which Moore may have not gotten exactly right in yesterday’s presentation. Fischer had Moore openly shaking, stuttering, and simply answering “Yessir” to specific questions, rather than his previously evasive manner.
This basic line of enquiry continues, and Agent Moore can now only respond . . . “I’m unaware,” “That’s correct,” “I’d agree,” or “Yessir.”
Seriously, Fischer broke that Agent into a compliant little puppy.
After the government’s redirect of Agent Moore, AUSA Nestler announces:
“THE GOVERNMENT RESTS ITS CASE”
——
After lunch, DAY TWENTY resumed with the Opening statements by the two attorneys who’d deferred their openings until after the government’s case. Geyer, for Harrelson, and Woodward, for Meggs.
Though Rhodes’ defense was suppose to begin first, there was a scheduling complication with one of Watkins’ witnesses, they were allowed to present out of order. The first defense witness of the trial called was Montana Siniff - Watkins’ fiancé.
At this point, it should be noted that Jessica Watkins is a trans woman, and there were initial questions by Attorney Crisp about the complications of how they eventually came into relationship with one another.
Then questions about their foundation of the “Ohio State Regular Militia” . . . which Watkins founded, primarily for the purpose of disaster relief, but also in furtherance of her military, EMT and fire-fighting experience . . . and because Watkins felt unfulfilled with her military experience - due to issues regarding her gender complications.
Siniff, himself, decided not to go to the J6 event, primarily because of his disappointing experience with OKs “lack of organization.” Plus, he felt he needed to stay home to work on their struggling bar business concerns, (due to COVID lockdowns).
Was he concerned about going to DC on J6? “No.” Did Watkins ever talk about going to DC to stop the certification of the election? “No.”
Nothing revelatory during government cross examination. Only that Watkins voluntarily turned herself in to local law enforcement when she learned there was a warrant for her arrest.
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DAY TWENTY-ONE . . . began with Siniff back on stand for redirect by Crisp, who began asking Siniff about their purpose and intentions in Louisville that day.
“To render protection and medical aid.” He even describes treating the injuries of BLM rioters who had direct violent encounters with police lines.
After Siniff is dismissed, the much anticipated testimony by Stewart Rhodes began . . .
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Rhodes founded the Oath Keepers in 2009. The primary reasons, first as an educational platform to help military and LEOs to understand the difference between lawful and unlawful orders, as related to their Oath to the constitution.
He describes the OKs as a multi-racial organization. His board consists of multi races. He would dismiss anyone found to be, or exhibit racist ideas . . . along with neo-nazis, communists, etc. (Rhodes being multi-racial, himself.) Obviously an organization focused on recruiting former and current military, LEOs, and first responders - even retirees who still had a desire to serve their country.
OKs also provided security for events. The first such event was in Ferguson, MO, after Michael Brown shooting in 2014. Rioters had threatened to burn down entire buildings - including minority businesses and homes. From rooftops they protected these properties, despite opposition from local law enforcement.
OKs peak membership was 40,000. At no time in their history has there ever been an incident in which any criminal charges have ever been leveled against the OKs, in hundreds of security operations. No firearms charges. No firearm use. No weapons used against any protestors or rioters of any kind - not even pepper spray.
Rhodes supports the right to protest, but he doesn’t support the right to arson - which is deadly force. He referred to George Floyd as being “murdered.”
OKs have even protected BLM marches against neo-nazi counter protestors.
Rhodes describes the purpose and use of a QRF. (Quick Reaction Force). Always a back-up, contingency of both weapons and medical gear should any operation go bad. The DC QRF was primarily a deterrent against Antifa’s public threats against Trump . . . and because Trump didn’t declare the Insurrection Act, the QRF from the VA hotel was never needed.
Rhodes was unhappy with the election results, and he believes it was an invalid and unconstitutional election, before the subject of fraud comes up.
Under direct questioning, Rhodes reveals himself as quite eloquent and intellectually bright. It’s easy to see how he could attract thousands to membership in the OKs . . . though apparently, by both friendly and unfriendly witnesses, his organizational skills seem to be hugely in question.
There was discussion about OKs coordination with Secret Service outside of barricade lines to escort their VIPS to cars. He explained they don’t care which political party any VIP is part of. Obviously, if it’s a Trump rally, it’s probably a Trump supporter, but at hurricane relief operations there are no party concerns or questions.
Because of their reputation, they began getting requests for volunteer security for individuals all over the country for their speaking events and personal appearances.
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DAY TWENTY-TWO . . . Rhodes is back on the stand. Opens with discussion about national political hostilities and violence leading up to what would be the Million MAGA March on Nov. 14th. All the chats leading up to MMM rally had nothing to do with J6, as it had not even been announced yet.
Rhodes is asked to explain his understanding of how the Insurrection Act could have been used as early as even Nov. 14th, 2020. “As he understands” that law and the make-up of the militia as currently understood, as well as “his understanding” . . . how the Insurrection Act should, could, and has been used throughout history.
Rhodes explains that OKs never used weapons or violence in their PSD duties. Leading up to the next rally on Dec. 12th - The Jericho March - Rhodes continued to publicly encourage Trump to invoke Insurrection Act. OKs had people at this event from all over the country. Provided assistance to Gen. Flynn’s security detail, and audience security. They had no designated QRF for this rally, but did ANNOUNCE they had one at the ready, as a “psyop” for Antifa’s consumption - to scare them away.
There’s detailed discussion of the organization and planning for all the OKs PSDs on J5 and J6. Then, once violence at erupted at the Capitol, throwing all their plans into chaos . . .
Rhodes was trying to get messages out to the OKs to round them up - NOT to “storm the Capitol” but in fact, “Just the opposite.” Because of the crowd size, cell communication and other comms were virtually impossible to send or receive. He’d only heard about certain of the OKs having entered the Capitol after having hooked up with Meggs, after their group exited.
Never was “going into the Capitol” part of the mission of the OKs that day, and certainly no plans to disrupt the election that day. Neither implied or direct instructions to any OK.
When he was finally able to round up the OKs, he thinks he got about 20 of them to join him. Which comports with his message telling them that if they had “completed their mission” to join him. Rhodes confirms Dolan’s testimony that Rhodes told him it was “stupid” for them to have entered the Capitol.
Rhodes claimed he had no idea - from his vantage point outside Capitol - that LEOs were being assaulted. He didn’t realize the scope of all that happened that day until watching the news, later.
He totally agrees with the prosecution of anyone who assaulted LEOs that day.
After a couple of short, “friendly” cross exams by other defense attorneys, AUSA Rakoczy begins government cross of Rhodes.
I considered this a smart, strategic move to have Rakoczy cross exam Rhodes, rather than Nestler. Nestler is snarky and combative. Rhodes would have attacked. Rakoczy, being a woman, would not likely to be so aggressively countered by Rhodes’ responses.
Rakoczy tries to get him to admit to founding OKs for forced opposition to government. Then asked about their participation with the Bundy ranch conflict. Rakoczy says Rhodes “bragged” about the number of men, weapons, night vision, etc., they supplied to support that event.
Rakoczy asks if he announced his intended to use those rifles against government agents at the Bundy standoff? Rhodes said he would if federal agents escalated the standoff to the level of the Waco, Tx event.
Rakoczy implies Rhodes tried to bait violent protestors so they could use their firearms. Rhodes pushes back, and denies that is ever their purpose.
More discussions about other events in which Rakoczy insinuates OKs tried to bait protestors into violence . . . which of course, never happened.
She asks questions about his opposition to the results of 2020 election. “You’ve repeatedly referred to the Biden administration as Chi-Com puppets?” . . .
“That’s correct,” responds Rhodes.
Then questions about Million MAGA March and the OKs’ QRF. Rakoczy says it was to assault the government. Rhodes denies, and says it was to protect the White House in case of a Benghazi-style attack from Antifa.
More questions about his open letter to Trump to invoke the IA and declassify NSA, CIA, FBI data for the purpose of exposing corruption in those agencies.
Rakoczy: “For the purpose of showing they are pedophiles?”
Rhodes “Yes, among other things.”
Rhodes believes McConnell is compromised by the ties of McConnell’s wife to the communist party of China.
The two - Rakoczy and Rhodes - literally bicker over content and meaning of many of those message slides. Rakoczy continues to frame every question as though his words were intended to indicate needed armed action ON J6. Rhodes continues to say all of it was contingent on Trump and the IA, or what their responsibilities might be AFTER January 6. But . . . never on THAT day.
I later wrote that Rakoczy successfully made Rhodes look like a “wild-eyed conspiracy theorist.” Not that there’s anything illegal about being a conspiracy theorist . . . but . . . this is a DC jury, with whom “feelings over facts” will likely come into play when they begin deliberations.
In private discussions I had with Rhodes attorneys after his testimony, they felt Rhodes didn’t hurt himself . . . because he COULDN’T hurt himself after the way the media and government had been portray him as Satan incarnate for over a year.
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DAY TWENTY-THREE . . . begins with a bombshell . . .
I was having coffee in the courthouse cafeteria, chatting with NY Times reporter Alan Feuer, when Rhodes’ attorney Lee Bright pulls up a chair beside us and informs . . .
They’d received notice last night of the possible ‘heart attack’ of an important witness, while boarding his plane for that day’s testimony in DC . . .
This, the #2 man in the OKs. Their Vice President, Greg McWhirter.
On top of that - before the jury was brought into court - AUSA Nestler steps forward to explains that two of Rhodes’ witnesses my have 5th amendment issues, due to government’s ongoing J6 investigations into their own activities on J6:
Darrio Aquino - set to testify that day - intends to waive his 5th amendment rights despite his attorneys advice against. Ricky Jackson, another defense witness - also has “serious exposure” - due to a newly opened investigation against him.
Bright argues the government is putting pressure on Jackson for the purpose of suppressing his testimony. Nestler just shrugs and says they notified defense counsel they had a couple witnesses with exposure issues.
Woodward also steps forward to say they had put these witnesses on their list weeks ago, and believes that in the MIDDLE of their ‘case in chief’, suddenly their witnesses are being threatened with prosecution.
Woodard explains . . . that after spending two hours prepping McWhirter for testimony, he suddenly has a ‘health crisis’ . . . the night before his testimony?
This, adding to the other two witnesses who were ‘suddenly’ contacted by FBI. AND . . . McWhirter, despite the fact he was in route to testify - didn’t contact the defense attorneys . . . but instead CONTACTED THE FBI, notifying THEM about his health issue?
BOOM . . . another FBI CHS is revealed.
Woodard goes on to say that in just “the last 15 hours” THREE different of their defense witnesses have been contacted by the government.
Fischer stands to say that, “this trial is being DISTORTED,” because government had knowledge of these witnesses exposure as much as 20 months ago, and the timing of the government’s last minute interferences are extremely suspect.
Woodward comes back to say he now has 6th amendment concerns about his ability to defend his client due to government’s “timing” of their interference with witnesses. Woodward is emphatic that he is hesitant to give the government ANY updated witness list under the 24-hour rule . . . considering current circumstances.
After more heated debate, Mehta finally calms the attorneys down and brings the jury into the room for the first witness. (Nothing consequential.)
Mehta sends the jury back out of the courtroom, and defense witness Darrio Aquino was called to stand, and his own attorney (Crawley) addressed the court to declare his intention to invoke his 5th Amendment privilege not to testify.
Attorneys debate the validity of his right to do so. Mehta grants his 5th Amendment privilege.
Woodward then stands and asks the court to grant Aquino immunity. (Denied.) Mehta says he doesn’t have the authority or the power. Woodward says he will work on getting him the authority. (Wow.)
Eventually - after lunch - defense witness Ricky Jackson takes the stand, and does not invoke his 5th amendment right not to testify.
Apart from his personal history, and explaining why and when he became an OK, Jackson’s most significant testimony was that he had become separated from his team, and had lost cell signal on his phone . . . so he waited at the bottom of the east side Capitol stairs until they reemerged from the Building. When USPC officers were exiting the building, he helped get the crowd out of the way so that he could assist them in reaching a safe place.
He told the officers, “I’ve got your back.” After escorting police out of the area, he was then able to gather with a larger group of OKs at the NE corner of Capitol Building, where Stewart Rhodes was also present.
Jackson has never been charged with a crime related to J6, but was contacted by the FBI . . . only after being presented on the witness list.
——
The next witness called was Don Siekerman, an elderly man, who served 3 years active duty in the Army. 3 to 4 years in National Guard. Had a long career as both volunteer fighter and as a police officer in Mechanicsburg, PA. He joined the OKs first time 2014, in response to their work in natural disasters.
Siekerman explained his difficulty remembering things, because he had serous case of COVID, that destroyed his thyroid . . . and has learned since of the other difficulties associated with long covid. Siekerman had reengaged with the OKs a few days before the Million MAGA March in DC, (Nov. ’20) - before his bout with COVID.
Because of his long career in law enforcement, Rhodes had asked Siekerman to take the operational leadership role for the J6 event, organizing all the requested PSDs that day.
Siekerman described not feeling well on the Sunday evening before J6, and on Monday morning he felt so bad he went to the doctor and was diagnosed with COVID. As a result, he was unable to attend J6 rally. He was so sick on the day of J6 he had no idea what had taken place . . . until he learned later.
He was very angry, because the riot went against everything that he stands for - especially the injuries to police officers, and the grief to them and their families. He acknowledges the suicides of officers afterwards, and said he’d had experiences like that with others in his career.
Asked, “As the operational planner for the OKs on January 6th, was there any discussion of plans to enter the Capitol or overthrow the election results?”
“No.”
During government cross examination, the government attorney, Manzo, was particularly hard on Siekerman. Often badgering him for answers he couldn’t immediately recall because of his frail, post-COVID condition. So badgering was Manzo of Siekerman, there were several objections by defense lawyers. Judge Mehta eventually called a sidebar and instructed Manzo to calm it down and move along.
At one point, in the media room, the NPR reporter turned to me and says “Mehta needs to tell them to stop f-cking badgering an old Man with COVID.”
Even the press knew this was wrong.
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DAY TWENTY-FOUR . . . begins with the potential for another fiery beginning . . .
The NY Times ran an explosive story immediately after the previous day’s court session, about the “FBI CHS” who was to testify for the . . . uh . . . defense. That, before his “medical emergency” while boarding his flight to DC. But, Greg McWhirter’s “CHS” status was under protective seal.
So, last night, the Government lawyers filed a “notice’ to the court, entitled, “UNDER SEAL NOTICE REGARDING POTENTIAL VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDER” which was basically asking the court to investigate if one of the defense attorneys leaked that info to The NY Times.
But THAT “notice” - which was also suppose to be UNDER SEAL, was . . . <ahem> . . . “inadvertently” posted to a public web site.
When Judge Mehta took the stand, he orders the feed to the media room cut and the courtroom gallery cleared. They went into a “sealed session” to discuss the CHS revelation and the government’s contention that the defense lawyers leaked that info to the media.
——
When the court was back open to the pubic and the media, Attorney Lee Bight called Michael Green to the stand.
“You have counsel here, because you, in another J6 case, have been indicted as a co-conspirator. (Five charges) By taking the stand today, you are freely waiving your 5th amendment rights against self incrimination?”
“Correct.”
“You had already agreed to testify for the defense in this trial before you were indicted?”
“Correct.”
Greene testifies that he works as a personal protection specialist, does body guard work, and installs security systems before ‘this stuff’ began. He lives in Indiana, is39 years old, and has certification and licensing for PSD work in at least two different states. He joined the Army in 2002. He specifically chose a combat job in Army. He was also training for the Olympics as both a boxer and wrestler, but that was disrupted when he was deployed to Iraq in 2004.
After the Army, he worked for private military contractors . . . Blackwater (renamed “Academi”), in providing PSDs, to protect valuable government “assets” . . . (people).
He was in Afghanistan in 2012 as a DOD contractor with Academi, providing force protection and other security details.
Greene never joined the OKs, but provided contracted, paid organizational security services for various of their events.
He first became aware of the OKs in 2016, at an OKs booth at a gun show in Indiana. He saw guys he knew to be “white supremacists” hanging out near the OK booth, and had no interest in them. But a friend of his - also black, was an OK. (Greene is himself black.) His friend, Greg (McWhirter), assured him that the OKs were not a racist organization. Greg told Greene that Rhodes was looking for some personal protection pros, and he then eventually met Rhodes at the OKs Hurricane Harvey relief effort in Houston.
At one point, Greene described his understanding of Rhodes’ theories about the possibility they’d need the QRF to protect Trump if the White House was overrun by Antifa. Greene told Rhodes he was “crazy,” because “no one’s going to overrun the White House. They’ve got enough protection to slaughter the f-ck out of everybody.”
After long testimony about various OK operations in which he was hired to participate, questions turn to J6 planning. Because Siekerman had come down with COVID, and couldn’t make the event, Rhodes asked Greene to take Siekerman’s place as operation and planning lead for the J6 event.
His ONLY job description for J5 and J6 was to organize security details. He participated in no planning for anything other than PSDs. On 5th all he did was make sure OKs were at their assigned duties, and that things were running smoothly. During this time, he was in constant contact with Rhodes, and nothing other than personal security was ever discussed with Rhodes. He’d been given Siekerman’s original security plan, and used it as originally drafted with few minor changes.
He estimated he had about 16 OKs available to him for those PSDs. He simply moved around from group to group on J5v and J6 to make sure they were doing their assigned jobs. As a result, Greene did not attend the Trump speech, itself.
On J6, Greene was eventually informed that “shit was going down” at the Capitol, and by the time he arrived to see what was happening, he said, “it looked like Braveheart” . . . “it was a f-cking riot.” He stood around and watched for awhile, then started trying to text and call Rhodes, but they had difficulty making connections because of the overwhelmed cell services.
He started trying to get in touch with all the various OK groups to meet-up and get back on mission. “Mission” being ONLY protections of speakers, VIPs, stages, and escort of people back to their vehicles. At no time did he direct any OK to go into Capitol building, assault police, interfere with election certification. He at no time ever saw any OK engaged in violence or in property destruction.
Bright: “Were you ever personally aware of any plan to lay siege to the capitol . . . storm the rotunda . . . stop the certification of election?” .
“NO. NO. And NO.”
AUSA Nestler began cross examination . . .
The government again dives into inflammatory messages and Signal chats.
(Really . . . it’s their entire case . . . given the OKs did no violence and breached NOTHING on J6.)
Nestler then VERY MISTAKENLY opens up a conversation about Greene being just a “paid mercenary” for “war.” Greene proceeds to SCHOOL Nestler on the actual definitions of “mercenary,” “war, and “riots.”
Nestler plays audio from GoToMeeting call in which Rhodes spews his typical rhetoric. Once again Greene totally SCHOOLS Nestler on the nature of old military guys “talking shit,” just like “old guys in barber shops talk shit.”
Nestler makes the mistake of asking him if any old guys from barber shops were at the Capitol. Greene proceeds to inform Nestler of many old guys from barber shops who were at the Capitol that day, including the fact he is personally standing trial with a couple guys who are, “old as f-ck.”
Nestler continues to show Greene those same old bravado chats we’ve seen over and over. Greene is having NONE OF IT.
Nestler was attempting his rapid-fire style of flying through bravado messages and chats to trip up Greene. He is unflappable. Bright. Educated. Unfazed by Nestler’s condescending style. (Most powerful defense witness thus far.) More and more slides, and Green has instant answers for each one.
Greene cursed and often dropped F-Bombs in his responses. At one point, I thought to myself that Nestler must have began his cross from a position of “racism of low expectations” about this black man. Either way, he most certainly was licking his wounds afterward.
On redirect, Attorney Bright finished off with a salvo of quick questions:
“Were you a paid contractor of Rhodes? . . . “YES.”
“Were you a mercenary?” . . . “NO.”
“You did not guide any of your guys into the Capitol or the Rotunda?” . . . “NO.”
“Did you hear any orders communicated to Kelly Meggs to enter the Capitol?” . . . “NO.”
“No more questions your honor.”
Greene is dismissed from the stand.
Bright concludes . . . “On behalf of Mr. Rhodes, we rest.”
——
As powerful a testimony as was Greene’s, DAY TWENTY-FOUR wasn’t over. Another landmark witness was in the wings . . .
Kelly Meggs’ Attorney, Woodward, calls Stephen Brown to the stand . . .
Brown does event planning for groups of 5,000 to 300,000 people. Lives in Lakeland FL, but also does work in DC., organizing lots of events for the National Park Service and on the Washington Mall.
Woodward: “Why would I hire you for an event in DC?”
Brown: “Because we’re very good at it, and we have very high standards . . . National Park Service says we leave the grounds in better condition than when we arrived.”
He then goes on to describe the typical planning process for an event they are hired to produce, in terms of integrations with the various DC agencies.
“Did you do any event planning for J6?” . . . “YES.”
“Who asked you to plan an event on J6?” . . . “Ali Alexander.”
After explaining the various protocols for securing permits for DC events, an image of the actual form for application of the event for Alexander’s event is shown, in the name of his organization, “One Nation Under God.” They were looking to build a 12x18 foot stage on the Capitol grounds, and their permit was approved . . . by THE CAPITOL POLICE.
Then, the image of the actual permit is shown to the court, which shows they were approved for “Section 8” and that there were several other events which had already been approved on Capitol grounds on the same day - J6.
Brown confirms that the actual permit shown to court was issued directly from The Capitol Police for their event near the east side steps of Capitol. Also discussed the possible attendance of Congressional leaders who had been invited to attend and speak on their permitted stage.
How does he describe the Oath Keepers function? “An organization that provides [unpaid] personal security details.”
Woodward begins showing slides of Signal chats dealing with all aspects of security planning, road closures, questions about intel on Antifa and other disruptive groups, etc. Brown also explains that they integrate with local Law enforcement on security arrangements and intel on possible threats or counter protestors.
On the morning of the 6th, the trucks arrived to build the stage and set up PA system, but because of the event taking place at the Ellipse, timelines were getting pushed back, as Trump was late for his speech - and then went long. So, Brown continued to prepare and soundcheck the PA at the stage with crew, and contemplate how they would adjust times and schedules for the planned speakers.
He eventually noticed that some barricades were being breached, and went to a USCP police post to notify them that there were large areas of barricades that had been removed.
No one ever did speak on their stage that day, as the riot disrupted everything.
Brown then describes how small the police presence was that day - that he had organized events in DC for groups as small as 5000 people . . . which had 3, 4, 5 times the size of police presence as were there on J6 . . . including SWAT teams. He couldn’t believe how small the police presence was on J6, given the advance notice of the size of crowds expected that day.
Woodward: “From all the OK planning chats you were on, did you see any plans about entering the Capitol or stopping the election certification?” . . . “NO.”
“Were you ever contacted by the FBI?”
“The FBI contacted me for the first time two months ago. Someone leaked my name to them.”
(Hmmmm. The witness list . . . again.)
There was a very short cross exam by Nestler, but he had nothing on Brown.
DAY TWENTY-FOUR concluded with Judge Mehta telling the jury they would be off until Monday, due to witnesses in Florida unable to get flights because of the hurricane . . . and Veterans Day on Friday.
——
DAY TWENTY-FIVE . . . was only two hours of debate between the legal teams about final Jury Instructions . . . which ultimately will be the most important thing the jurors will hear before beginning their deliberations . . . so it’s no small matter.
Suffice it to say . . . not much was conclusive on Day 25. Especially with regards to how Mehta will instruct the jury on the two conspiracy charges. Obviously, the government wants the broadest possible definition, and the defense wants more narrowly worded language. Each side will be filing case law precedents for Mehta to review before making his final decision.
At this point, it seems clear that the defense has narrowed their own witness lists down to a minimum. Maybe a few character witnesses for the remaining defendants. The government’s rebuttal case and closing arguments could begin as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. It is as yet unclear whether Mehta will give the jury all of Thanksgiving week off before handing them the case to decide the guilt or innocence of Rhodes, Caldwell, Meggs, Watkins, and Harrelson.
Either way, it’s almost the jury’s turn, and no one can predict how long it will take them to decide the fate of five completely different individuals, with so many different crimes charged.
So that’s where we are. I tried to give you as much information as possible about what is not being reported by the MSM in their articles and news broadcasts. As a general rule, in my reading of their stories, they spend 90% of their coverage on the government’s case, and little-to-no coverage of the defense cross exams and witness testimonies. And then, of course, there’s the matter of how they are spun.
Michael Greene’s and Stephen Brown’s Day 24 testimonies were devastating to the government’s narrative that the OKs were only in DC for insurrection, based on a seditious conspiracy to attack the Capitol and stop the certification of the election. It’s simply a false narrative.
But - as I’ve said many times - this is a DC jury . . . which delivers the government convictions about 97% of the time.
Feelings over facts. Words over deeds.
Conspiracy is an Orwellian thought crime.
——
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Thank you. I’m here in DC until the jury comes back with their verdicts.
Stay tuned . . .
This is Steve Baker . . . the Pragmatic Constitutionalist.
Good night.
