Reno (Ed Brown supporter) - change of plea

[Dezcad]

Latest docket entries for Reno Gonzalez - is he pleading out now?

06/06/2008 NOTICE OF HEARING as to Cirino Gonzalez: Change of Plea Hearing set for 6/13/2008 03:30 PM before Chief Judge George Z. Singal in Portland, Maine. (jar) (Entered: 06/06/2008)
06/06/2008 RESCHEDULING NOTICE OF HEARING as to Cirino Gonzalez: Change of Plea Hearing set for 6/13/2008 08:00 AM before Chief Judge George Z. Singal in Portland, Maine. (jar) (Entered: 06/06/2008)

[Demosthenes]

Danny and Jason have already been convicted so there's no race there.

If he's smart he'll plea to the open conspiracy count in exchange for the weapon's count being dropped.

[VanMeters Revenge]

He doesnt have to testify against Ed or anyone in order to take the plea, he said that pleading guilty to the Conspiricy charges, that the weapons charges will be dropped. We have had a few discusions over this the past few weeks but I am disappointed because I know he is innocent plus it is upsetting that he will not be allowed to own weapons but he wants to get out as soon as possible so we can continue our peace activism.

[Nikki]

He doesnt have to testify against Ed or anyone in order to take the plea, he said that pleading guilty to the Conspiricy charges, that the weapons charges will be dropped. We have had a few discusions over this the past few weeks but I am disappointed because I know he is innocent plus it is upsetting that he will not be allowed to own weapons but he wants to get out as soon as possible so we can continue our peace activism.

[VanMeters Revenge]

You must think that a peace activist should be against owning weapons for self-defense? OMFG

[RyanMcC]

Mabye it's just me, but this picture doesn't scream "peace activist" or "self-defense":



I wondered what a "CodePink" peace activist would arm themselves with, I found it:


(What, you've never seen a fully-functional "Hello Kitty" AR-15 before?)

[ErsatzAnatchist]

(What, you've never seen a fully-functional "Hello Kitty" AR-15 before?)

Explain that to Allah, how you were blown away by a pink Hello Kitty gun........

That is a Klashnakitty AR-15. Note the AK being held by the Hello Kitty on the stock.

For the little girls:



One a more serious note, weren't the counts Reno was convicted of felonies? If so, Reno had already lost his right to possess a firearm.

Also, Reno (and the others) could be entitled to a post-sentencing reduction in their sentence for assistance provided by testifying against the Browns. I know that testifying against a fellow paytriot is frowned upon in polite society, but I think Ed has earned an exception to this rule of etiquette, at least as far as Reno is concerned.

[Demosthenes]

You must think that a peace activist should be against owning weapons for self-defense? OMFG

Hint: It isn't self-defense if you're shooting at US Marshals trying to execute a valid arrest warrant.

[Imalawman]

You must think that a peace activist should be against owning weapons for self-defense? OMFG

Well, kinda. I mean many pacifists do not own guns for the very reason that they might be tempted to use them and thus perpetuate the cycle of violence. I definitely think that a peace activist would have no need for a .50 Serbu and further, pursue getting such weapons banned completely. Even if you think it was a just cause to "defend" Ed and Elaine, I don't believe that a peace activist would assist in plotting to kill the US Marshalls and start a mini-war. Seems pretty violent to me. Reno must be one of these new "violent peace activists" I've heard about.

[Demosthenes]

Looks like Reno's daddy is still in delusional mode.

From: Reno
Date: Jun 8, 2008 3:35 PM
Subject: Still in Jail ; Who cares?
Body: Reno is still in Jail
Have even the so-called "Awakened" become complicit?

STAND FOR FREEDOM
keep the faith

:{ jmg

[webhick]

Reno must be one of these new "violent peace activists" I've heard about.

Yeah, I heard the real peace activists mounted a non-violent demonstration to get Reno and people like him kicked out. Oddly enough, the NRA helped out - sans weapons, because even avid gun fans know that a peaceful demonstration isn't peaceful when you bring guns.

So, anyone who doesn't think it's disingenuous to preach out one side of their mouth about ending the war, while out the other side shouting encouragement to someone looking to start a war; who spews propaganda about non-violent resistance while fondling a weapon, bragging about his arsenal and making sure everyone knows that he's only looking for an excuse to kill or maim someone; and who thinks that he can break the law and shoot anyone who tries to hold him accountable can join the "violent peace activists" club.

But, since they're all a bit twitchy and prone to in-fighting, I doubt many will survive the first meeting.

[LPC]

I definitely think that a peace activist would have no need for a .50 Serbu and further, pursue getting such weapons banned completely.

The Onion approached the same issue from a somewhat different direction.

[Evil Squirrel Overlord]

What if those arrows have dynamite and are shot out of a car with a Confederate flag on the roof?

[ErsatzAnatchist]

I definitely think that a peace activist would have no need for a .50 Serbu and further, pursue getting such weapons banned completely.

The Onion approached the same issue from a somewhat different direction.

I find the Onion article to be strangely not satirical at all. An interest in firearms does not negate a pacifistic point of view. You can believe that war is not an acceptable method of resolving international disputes, but still think shooting at targets to be cool. One may even believe in the right to self-defense, but still be opposed to offensive war.

I am not defending Reno for his role in the standoff, I just happen to believe that being a peace activist does not preclude a belief in self-defense nor recreational shooting.

[ErsatzAnatchist]

One of Colt's most famous and popular revolvers was the Peacemaker.

There is a line that goes something like "God created man, Sam Colt made him equal." I have also seen a bumper sticker that said "You Can't Beat A Woman With A Gun", which I thought would make a nice gift for a lady friend of mine who like to shoot.

[webhick]

I have also seen a bumper sticker that said "You Can't Beat A Woman With A Gun"

That's either really pro-woman, or really pro-wife-beater. I guess it depends on what kind of car it was affixed to.

[Imalawman]

I have also seen a bumper sticker that said "You Can't Beat A Woman With A Gun"

That's either really pro-woman, or really pro-wife-beater. I guess it depends on what kind of car it was affixed to.

Couldn't it also be pro woman self defense?

Notice I wasn't saying that owning a gun and being a peace activist were mutually exclusive, but that it is kind of my expectation that someone who is dedicating themselves to peace activism wouldn't be a big fan of guns in general. As always, there are exceptions to every rule.

[ErsatzAnatchist]

I have also seen a bumper sticker that said "You Can't Beat A Woman With A Gun"

That's either really pro-woman, or really pro-wife-beater. I guess it depends on what kind of car it was affixed to.

I think I did not remember the quote correctly. It should have been:

[Demosthenes]

No plea agreement after all.

06/13/2008 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge George Z. Singal: In Chambers Conference as to Cirino Gonzalez held on 6/13/2008. At the time defendant moved to continue the trial which was denied by the Court. Counsel asked for presentence report as to Counts 2 and 3 to go forward with the sentencing which was also denied by the Court. Jury selection at 9:30AM on June 19, 2008 and evidence to begin at 8:30AM on June 23, 2008 in Concord, New Hampshire. (Court Reporter: Dennis Ford) (Govt Atty: Arnold Huftalen) (Defts Atty: David Bownes)(Total Hearing Time: 15 mins) (jar) (Entered: 06/13/2008)

[Demosthenes]

I think Reno's made a mistake on this gamble.

As you all may recall, the Brown standoff started off scary bad and got progressively worse during the 9 1/2 months it took place. Reno was at the house from mid April until mid to late June, which means he left before the really hairy stuff involving bombs and explosives took place.

In other words, compared to the violent crap done by codefendants Danny Riley and Jason Gerhard (both of whom were involved until mid September) Reno's role in the standoff appeared relatively benign. Take Jason and Danny out of the picture, and Reno's acts looks pretty damned ugly on their own to a jury.

The three guys were charged with similar counts. When I was watching the trial, I could see why the jury had a hard time convicting Reno when he didn't do nearly as much horrible stuff as the other two. Yeah, he bought guns for the standoff, but he didn't leave them behind like the other defendants did. Yeah, he said on a video that he was there to provide the Browns with armed security, but he didn't build pipe bombs or zip guns or set up Tannerite baggie explosives to blow up over the Marshals' heads. Heck, compared to the idiot dogwalker and gun porn kid Jason, Reno looked like a boyscout.

The new jury won't care whether or not he left the guns there when he was kicked off the island. After all, he wasn't charged with supplying guns to the Browns, he was charged with using a weapon in a crime of violence (engaging in an armed standoff to provent the Marshals from arresting two convicted felon fugitives.)

IMO, his odds of conviction are much higher when tried alone.