In Other Media-eg New Statesman, AJE, FP, Georgia, NYT,  Azerbaijan, CSM Click here to contact us     .

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Podcast Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

FEDERAL COURT, Oct 25 -- On October 25, months after the DC Circuit's decision in US v. Munchel, DDC Judge Dabney L. Friedrich had before here the case her Capitol breach defendant Guy Reffitt - but not Reffitt himself, even as his Speed Trial rights were being waived. Inner City Press live tweeted it here (podcast here)

Judge Dabney L. Friedrich: Do we have Mr. Reffitt?

A: No.

Judge Friedrich: I set this conference to discuss a trial date.

 Counsel: How about February 2022?

Judge Friedrich: I have another trial set for Feb 7. I don't know if that's going to go. This defendant has been locked up longer. How about Feb 28? Counsel: That should be fine, Your Honor.

 Judge Friedrich: How about the US? Assistant US Attorney: There's a February spring break in DC schools. Judge Friedrich: That's an early spring break.  Judge Friedrich: Has defense counsel spoken with Mr. Reffitt about the need for delay due to new discovery?

 Defense counsel: Yes, and he's not happy with it. Judge Friedrich: I had wanted him present but it wasn't possible. And I think I'm going to cancel November 3. Why not November 9 at 10 am? Defense counsel: I would always like more time. An additional week.

 Judge Friedrich: What is your availability week of Nov 22? I bet it's pretty good given you thought we'd be on trial. So Nov 19 at 10 am, we're vacating both Nov 3 and Nov 9 conferences. [So, more delay due to new discovery material.] AUSA: There is more coming.

 AUSA: There's more on the Relativity database. If defense counsel wants access to it, we ought not to be setting a trial date in February. We have witnessed who work at the Senate and in the Secret Service.

AUSA: We also have FBI files not only from DC but also from Texas, multiple places in Texas. Judge Friedrich: We do need to think this through. Maybe this trial date should not be set. How much time? Defense lawyer: Let's not set it today. I'll talk to Mr. Reffitt

Judge Friedrich: I not going to set anything until we meet on Nov. 19.  AUSA: Maybe Mr. Reffitt and his counsel, there seems to be some disagreement, should speak with your Honor ex parte? Defense: If we do it at all it should be ex parte.

 Assistant US Attorney: The defense counsel has the right without his client's consent to waive Speedy Trial Act time

  Eagle eyed readers like this one pointed out the distinction between speedy trial rights under the Constitution and the Speedy Trial Act, which they say the defense lawyer can waive without the defendant's consent. But isn't that a ground to fire the lawyer, even a publicly funded one? Or would that just lead to more delay?

Inner City Press previously published a song about Reffitt, here.

Inner City Press live tweeted Riley June Williams on January 25, here. 

  From January 22, song here: Thread here.

 Inner City Press' John Earle Sullivan song on SoundCloud here. 

***

Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.

Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
SDNY Press Room 480, front cubicle
500 Pearl Street, NY NY 10007 USA

Mail: Box 20047, Dag Hammarskjold Station NY NY 10017

Reporter's mobile (and weekends): 718-716-3540

Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.

 Copyright 2006-2021 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com