Brown Supporter Trial (even more)

[Scoop]

the over-heated courtrooms

Not an issue in this case.

[webhick]

Cirino's brother, Romeo tearfully admitted to having taken the 5th and was dismissed from the witness list.
::snip::
Finally, when I was about to testify, Cirino took the stand (probably to prevent ME from doing so).

Actually, according to Demo's chronology, you plead the fifth first, then Romeo, then Reno took the stand. Or do you mean you changed your mind and was going to testify after Reno and then Reno threw himself under the bus and you stuck with not testifying?

So, the way I'm seeing this right now is:
You at first were so adamant about testifying in your son's defense, then did a 180 and said that you weren't going to court because you found out that you were selected for a random search at the airport, then did another 180 and showed up insisting on testifying and refused to respond to "threats", then did another 180 and plead the fifth, then did another 180 and wanted to testify, then did another 180 after Reno testified and took advise not to testify, and now that the trial is over, you pull another 180 and say that your testimony is going to be included in the appeal.

Right about now, you should be so dizzy that you're throwing up.

BTW, if a defendant's witness pleads the fifth, is it possible to retract that and put testimony on record for an appeal? It sounds like new evidence, but it's only new because the defense witness chose not to put it in front of a jury (possibly at the advise of a lawyer) in the first trial. Sounds like a bit of a lazy manipulation.

[Imalawman]

BTW, if a defendant's witness pleads the fifth, is it possible to retract that and put testimony on record for an appeal? It sounds like new evidence, but it's only new because the defense witness chose not to put it in front of a jury (possibly at the advise of a lawyer) in the first trial. Sounds like a bit of a lazy manipulation.

Yes. If you're in the district of bizzaro world, part of the 113th circuit. Otherwise, no, you're stuck with the record of the trial court. (some limited exceptions notwithstanding, depending on standard of review)

[Demosthenes]

The chronology.

Jose took the stand and accepted an attorney.
Romeo took the stand and accepted an attorney.
Lauren Canario took the stand and testified.
Jim Johnson took the stand and testified.
Corinna Cooper took the stand and testified.
Jose took the stand a little later and said that he and his attorney hadn't finished talking.
Jose then took the 5th because the government would tell him in advance which questions would be asked.
Romeo took the stand and took the 5th.
Reno took the stand and testified.

[Demosthenes]

There's a verdict.

[LPC]

There's a verdict.

I was about to make a prediction, but now I think I'll shut up.

(I'll tell you all later how right I would have been.)

[Demosthenes]

I predict Dogwalker will be found guilty on all counts, Jason will be guilty on everything but the explosives charge, and the jury could be hung on Reno's counts.

Just a prediction, of course...

[Dr. Caligari]

There's a verdict.

Has it been read yet, or is there just a note saying there's a verdict?

[Demosthenes]

It's been read, although I haven't received clear confirmation yet on Reno's counts.

Danny, guilty on all counts.
Jason, guilty on everything but the explosives charge.
Unclear on Reno, but potentially hung on all counts.

Just as I predicted less than a minute ago...

[webhick]

Demo, thanks for clarifying the chronology further. Jose was quite clear in his post about not pleading the 5th until after Reno took the stand, so I can only conclude....that Jose is either like that little guy in "The Longest Journey" who exists both in the past and future at the same time and gets his tense all screwed up....or he's just spewing.

Jose then took the 5th because the government would tell him in advance which questions would be asked.

You mean "wouldn't tell him in advance," right? I can't imagine it going in the opposite direction.

So, he insisted everyone make exceptions for him and treat him like a special little bunny and when they wouldn't, he took his ball and went home.

[LPC]

I predict Dogwalker will be found guilty on all counts, Jason will be guilty on everything but the explosives charge, and the jury could be hung on Reno's counts.

Just a prediction, of course...

I was thinking along the same lines.

They'll all be found guilty of lesser charges, such as aiding and abetting, and conspiring to interfere with federal officers (or whatever the charge was), but the destructive devices charges seem iffy.

But we'll see.

[Demosthenes]

I was kidding, Dan. My "prediction" was the actual verdict, according to a text message I got from Scoop.

[Famspear]

That Demo is a naughty girl.

[webhick]

I was kidding, Dan. My "prediction" was the actual verdict, according to a text message I got from Scoop.

I was going to charge you for using the magic goat nuts (the ones that the magical goat under my desk belches every hour), but now I see that isn't necessary. So, when the Keebler Elves show up with shotguns...um, give em a beer and tell them that there are some squirrels that want to play "hide the cookies."

[LPC]

I was kidding, Dan. My "prediction" was the actual verdict, according to a text message I got from Scoop.

So the jury really thought that Reno might have gone to the Browns, and spent a lot of time walking around carrying guns, without ever intending to help the Browns?

Amazing.

[Dr. Caligari]

So the jury really thought that Reno might have gone to the Browns, and spent a lot of time walking around carrying guns, without ever intending to help the Browns?

He wasn't acquitted; the jury was hung. That only takes one juror.

[Leftcoaster]

I was kidding, Dan. My "prediction" was the actual verdict, according to a text message I got from Scoop.

So the jury really thought that Reno might have gone to the Browns, and spent a lot of time walking around carrying guns, without ever intending to help the Browns?

Amazing.

It's possible that they've split on whether or not he's smart enough to actually conspire with anyone. From my following of the trial, and the lead up to it, it seems to me that the world spins just a little too quickly for Reno.

[ErsatzAnatchist]

What I find ironic is that the blabbiest, most frivolous filing one of the lot was found guilty on all charges.

I'm not sure irony is the right word. Perhaps "appropriate" is a better choice. I feel sorry (if only because I have been drinking and had a decent day, the first in weeks) for Danny and his brother (Elliot Ness). I honestly believe that Danny was playing at patriot and never honestly believed that anyone would be hurt at his little game. But then again, I am an idiot. An idiot after three drinks as well.

Will the jury be asked to continue to deliberate more on the Reno charge or has the Judge called a mistrial on the case against him? Any information on reactions from the Courtroom?

[webhick]

I was kidding, Dan. My "prediction" was the actual verdict, according to a text message I got from Scoop.

So the jury really thought that Reno might have gone to the Browns, and spent a lot of time walking around carrying guns, without ever intending to help the Browns?

Amazing.

From Bill Riley's blog, regarding Reno's testimony:

The prosecution asked if Reno was aware of the conviction for tax evasion and he said he was not aware that they were convicted but he explained that he was aware there was a legal situation with the Brown's.

That may cast some doubt on his guilt. I don't keep very good track of things, but I could swear he acknowledged that they were convicted in blogs, etc.

[Doktor Avalanche]

As predicted...



So long, Danny.