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6 protesters acquitted of rioting, related charges stemming from Inauguration Day
WTOP News [Washington DC] ^ | December 21, 2017 2:30 pm | Amanda Iacone and Megan Cloherty

Posted on 12/21/2017 12:03:01 PM PST by COBOL2Java

WASHINGTON — Six protesters cleared of all charges related to riots that broke out on Inauguration Day were jubilant and declared a victory for lawful dissent after a jury found them not guilty Thursday following a monthlong trial.

“People won’t be afraid to show up and go protest and get in the streets and not be worried that they’ll get mass arrested like we did,” said Michelle Macchio, one of the six acquitted defendants. “This sets a really strong precedent that that’s not ok and you can’t criminalize dissent.”

The jury deliberated for a week before delivering its verdict in D.C. Superior Court.

Defendants described their reaction in the courtroom as relief, followed by hugging and sobbing.

“This isn’t just about the six of us. This about the other 188 people that are left to go. … All we can do is hope that these acquittals really set the stage for them to also get acquittals,” Macchio said.

(Excerpt) Read more at wtop.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: dc; michellemacchio; radicalleft; rentamob; trumpinaurural
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To: ex91B10

Hang this judge???????

“”after a jury found them not guilty Thursday following a month long trial.””


41 posted on 12/21/2017 5:55:15 PM PST by Thank You Rush
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To: WayneS

I was under the impression one could. Thx for the info.


42 posted on 12/22/2017 5:16:01 AM PST by ex91B10
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To: ex91B10
A judge can nullify a guilty verdict, but once a not guilty verdict then the restriction on double jeopardy (enshrined in the 5th Amendment) prevents the judge from doing anything other than releasing the defendant.

The only exception is the very rare circumstance in which jury tampering or "fixing" of a jury can be proved - and even then it does not guarantee prosecutors a second "bite at the apple".

43 posted on 12/22/2017 5:42:06 AM PST by WayneS (An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. - Winston Churchill)
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To: Max Tactical

Whether he is or is not an Obamabot, the prosecutor failed to make the case against these particular defendants, and in my opinion acquittal was the only just outcome.

In this case, I think the jury did its job.


44 posted on 12/22/2017 5:46:05 AM PST by WayneS (An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. - Winston Churchill)
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To: WayneS

Did the prosecutor fail, or was this the outcome the DA’s office wanted all along?


45 posted on 12/22/2017 5:52:45 AM PST by mewzilla (Was Obama surveilling John Roberts? Might explain a lot.)
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To: COBOL2Java
IMPEACH and REPLACE Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz for PREDUJICE AND INCOMPETENCE !
47 posted on 12/22/2017 5:56:36 AM PST by Yosemitest (It's SIMPLE ! ... Fight, ... or Die !)
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To: mewzilla
As it relates to the verdict, it makes no real difference WHY the case was poorly prosecuted. My point was that the jury did nothing wrong.

Many who have posted about this story have criticized the jury, and I think that criticism is unfair in this case.

48 posted on 12/22/2017 6:00:03 AM PST by WayneS (An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. - Winston Churchill)
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To: WayneS

It relates to the verdict in that if the DA’s office was deteruined to lose the case, the verdict was predictable. And you’re right, no fault of the jury. The jury was used.


49 posted on 12/22/2017 6:03:14 AM PST by mewzilla (Was Obama surveilling John Roberts? Might explain a lot.)
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To: Yosemitest
IMPEACH and REPLACE Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz for PREDUJICE AND INCOMPETENCE !

I disagree. It's pretty clear that the prosecutor did not make the case against these particular defendants. That is NOT the judge's fault.

Take a look at Post #36, above for details on the prosecutors failures.

We may agree that these people are [most likely] guilty of rioting, but it is up to the prosecutor to present enough evidence to make the case.

50 posted on 12/22/2017 6:06:00 AM PST by WayneS (An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. - Winston Churchill)
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To: Max Tactical
Stating in closing statements that criminal charges did NOT require "beyond reasonable doubt", no matter what the law said, and being contradicted publicly by the judge on the matter.

Any prosecutor who makes that statement in open court should be disbarred.

51 posted on 12/22/2017 6:07:34 AM PST by WayneS (An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. - Winston Churchill)
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Comment #52 Removed by Moderator


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