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Title: Report: Judge tosses conviction of activist who laughed at Jeff Sessions
Source:
cbs
URL Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/desiree ... aughing-jeff-sessions-hearing/
Published: Jul 15, 2017
Author: Staff
Post Date: 2017-07-15 08:58:31 by cranky
Keywords: None
Views: 2454
Comments: 11
A judge has thrown out a conviction and ordered a retrial for an activist after she laughed during the confirmation hearing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, according to the Reuters news agency. Desiree Fairooz, a 61-year-old Code Pink member, was arrested in January after she laughed at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing when a lawmaker said Sessions treated all Americans equally. In May, a jury found her guilty of two charges related to demonstrating on Capitol grounds. Chief Judge Robert Morin of the District of Columbia Superior Court overturned the verdict on Friday and ordered a new trial, saying that it was unclear if Fairooz was convicted for laughing or for speaking as she was removed, her lawyer, Samuel Bogash, told Reuters. "The government's position was that laughing alone was enough to convict. But the judge made it clear that he didn't think it was," Morin said. Code Pink said on Facebook that Fairooz called the retrial as a waste of taxpayer money. "I would have never spoken out at the hearing if I hadn't been arrested for laughing, and now I am going to be tried again! It's absurd. This is a waste of everyone's time and a waste of tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayers money. The only thing more ridiculous than being tried for laughing, is being tried twice for laughing," she said, according to the post. The judge did not set a date for the retrial, but scheduled a status hearing for September 1, according to Reuters.
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#1. To: cranky (#0)
Stupid liberals have free speech also. Case dismissed.
I agree. And if you believe that, plead guilty (which you are) and save everyone's time and tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayers money.
Yet another liberal refusing to take personal responsibility for her actions.
That might matter in a bench trial, but this was a jury trial. The jury thought it was enough to convict and they did so. Unanimously.
Even during a confirmation hearing? It won't take long before these activists realize that with enough people exercising free speech they could shut down all of Trump's nominees. Is that what the Founders had in mind? A small group of people negating the will of 60 million voters?
They don't have to be allowed in. Maybe you're right.
Laughing like coughing might be involuntary. Is it still a crime?
Coughing is definitely a crime. As far as "involuntary" laughing, I'm sure a jury could sort that out.
Desiree isn't desirable; she's just a garden variety kook. She looks a lot like Bernie in a wig. Liberals are like Slinkys. They're good for nothing, but somehow they bring a smile to your face as you shove them down the stairs.
With a name like Desiree, I doubt anyone took her seriously her entire life.
I'm guessing the 's' in 'she' is optional. that's my story and i'm sticking to it
#2. To: cranky (#0)
This is a waste of everyone's time and a waste of tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayers money.
#3. To: cranky (#0)
#4. To: cranky (#0)
"The government's position was that laughing alone was enough to convict. But the judge made it clear that he didn't think it was," Morin said.
#5. To: A K A Stone (#1)
Stupid liberals have free speech also.
#6. To: misterwhite (#5)
#7. To: misterwhite (#3)
liberal refusing to take personal responsibility for her actions
#8. To: A Pole (#7)
Laughing like coughing might be involuntary. Is it still a crime?
#9. To: cranky (#0)
#10. To: IbJensen (#9)
Desiree isn't desirable; she's just a garden variety kook.
#11. To: IbJensen (#9)
She looks a lot like Bernie in a wig.
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