A trial date has been set for early October in the case.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Kevin Davidson told reporters after the hearing, "It's good to finally go to court, start the process of seeking justice in this case. We finally have a trial date, and we'll just see how things progress through the system. We'll just take the case where the evidence takes us."
"This case was investigated by the FBI, presented to my office, and then presented to a grand jury, where members of the grand jury found probable cause to indict on the 11 charges. There's nothing vindictive about this," Davidson said.
Davidson continued, "To the extent of things I've seen in the media since the indictment, most of what I've read has not been correct."
"I don't have any prior dealings with the Southern Poverty Law Center. There's nothing vindictive about this prosecution. The way much of the media has described the charges, it is not accurate. I think the charges speak for themselves if you just read the indictment. I'll leave it at that," Davidson said.
and expected backlash...