The leader of the right-wing militia thugs Oath Keepers was denied a delay of his trial for seditious conspiracy on January 6 by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. Oath Keeper Stewart Rhodes had asked the court for a delay due to a "breakdown in communications" with his lawyers, whom he claimed were not representing his seditious activity forcefully enough. Borrowing the delay tactics of his cult leader, Rhodes sought to delay his trial at least 90 days. Judge Mehta was not amused:
"U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said Rhodes’ suggestion that his lawyers are not providing effective counsel appeared to be 'complete and utter nonsense' and questioned why concerns about his lawyers were surfacing for the first time just weeks before trial.
'The notion that you are going to create the kind of havoc that you will — and havoc is the only appropriate word I can think of — by moving Mr. Rhodes’ trial, not going to happen,' Mehta told Edward Tarpley, whom Rhodes wanted as his new lawyer."
Rhodes joins four co-defendents for their September 27 trial on seditious conspiracy charges related to his role in organizing and promoting the assault on the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election results:
"Authorities say Rhodes was the ringleader of the Oath Keepers’ plot to violently stop the transfer of power. In the run-up to Jan. 6, authorities say the Oath Keepers recruited members, purchased weapons and set up a 'quick reaction force' with guns on standby outside the capital with the goal of keeping President Donald Trump in office.
On Jan. 6, prosecutors say the Oath Keepers formed two teams, or 'stacks,' that entered the Capitol. Rhodes is not accused of going inside the building, but was seen gathered outside the Capitol with several members after they did, authorities say." (our emphasis)
Try him, convict him and send him to prison for a long time.
(photo: "Aargh, matey, yer walkin' the plank!" Washington Post via Getty Images)
