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Man Indicted As Felon With Ammo Told Judge There Was No Evidence Now Gets 8 Years

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell book

SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 10 –  Christopher Smith is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. But on February 2, speaking for himself, he said there is no solid evidence.

  Smith was indicted, sealed, on December 15, 2022. It was unsealed and he was detailed on January 25.

On February 2 he appeared before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Ronnie Abrams. Inner City Press went and covered it. 

 Judge Abrams set a May 1 trial date, and motions before then.

Then Smith raised his hand and was allowed to speak. He said there is no evidence, he would like to go home.

On March 27, the US Attorney's Office wrote to Judge Abrams that "this morning a grand jury sitting in this District returned a superseding indictment charging defendant Christopher Smith with three additional counts related to a shooting and carjacking that occurred on or about September 19, 2022... which was committed with the same firearm used in the previously charged November 11 conduct." They want the same May 1 trial date - and an arraignment.

On December 6, letters Smith submitted were declared sealed by the same logic as in US v. Edwards, a logic the extension of which Inner City Press finds problematic for transparency: "ORDER as to Christopher Smith: On December 5, 2023, the Court received a letter from defense counsel sent ex parte via email in response to its orders of November 14, 2023 and December 5, 2023. The letter states that Mr. Smith does not seek to withdraw his plea, but does seek to withdraw the three letters he sent to the Court ex parte and to place them under seal. The Court will thus not consider Mr. Smith's letters with respect to sentencing or for any further purpose. Because Mr. Smith's letters are not relevant to the performance of a judicial function, they are not judicial documents. See United States v. Sours Edwards, No. 19-cr-64-GHW, 2020 WL 6151300, at *67 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 20, 2020). As such, they may be withdrawn without being filed on the docket and will rather be filed under seal. See id. In addition, in light of the fact that counsel's letter contains privileged information regarding attorney-client communications, the letter shall also be filed under seal. See United States v. Farooq, No. 19-CR-100 (PKC), 2020 WL 1083624, at *1 & n.2 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 6, 2020). (Signed by Judge Ronnie Abrams on 12/6/2023)."

On December 18, Smith's counsel wrote in that while in the SHU for the past four months, Smith has not received medical attention, and wants it. It was So Ordered.

Jump cut to April 26, 2024 - Smith's counsel, predicting that the US Attorney Office will ask for 87 months on May 9, asked for two years in a redacted submission.

On May 3, the US Attorney's Office "submit[ted] that a sentence of 108 months' imprisonment is appropriate."

On May 10, it was 96 months - eight years: "JUDGMENT IN A CRIMINAL CASE as to Christopher Smith (1). The defendant pleaded guilty to counts (1), (2), (3). Any open counts are dismissed on the motion of the United States. SUPERVISED RELEASE: 3 years on each count to run concurrently. IMPRISONMENT: 96 months on each count to run concurrently. It is recommended that Mr. Smith be designated to FCI-Danbury, or alternatively a facility located in the Northeast region, and participate in the Skills Program; Resolve Program and RDAP Program."

 The case is US v. Smith, 22-cr-685 (Abrams) 

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