As closing arguments start tomorrow in the Oathkeepers trial, the government has yet to prove defendants Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Jessica Watkins, and Thomas Caldwell engaged in activities beyond misdemeanor trespassing.
FBI Special Agent John Moore recently took the stand as a witness, saying “I don’t know” at least a dozen times in response to the defense’s questions.
Judge Amit Mehta allowed Moore to speculate on Stewart Rhodes’ motives for purchasing the firearms displayed in the courtroom.
When the defense asked Moore whether Rhodes’ gun ownership was legal, Moore said:
“Yeah, it was legal.”
“But in terms of planning to bring civil war to every state capitol, we’re looking at something much bigger.”
Moore proved Rhodes owned the guns but did not state they were even brought to DC on Jan. 6.
Next, he insinuated the dispersion of group members from Washington DC to diverse rural areas after Jan. 6th revealed a conspiracy to overthrow the government.
However, members of the group were texting back and forth, implying they needed a break from the DC area. They wanted to unwind. Rhodes did not tell these individuals where to go. People travelled on their own free will.
Prosecutors are attempting to string together private group chats as evidence of coordination. However, there is no reference or discussion tracing back to a specific criminal behavior.
Is the government making a vague argument and manipulating a few words of “locker room talk” to make a story that doesn’t fit?
Please keep in mind that in the United States, every citizen charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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