Judge Tosses Jurys Conviction Of Woman Who Laughed At Jeff Sessions
A D.C. judge tossed out the conviction of a woman arrested after laughing during Sessions’ Senate confirmation hearing.
By Ryan J. Reilly
WASHINGTON ― A D.C. judge has tossed out a jury’s conviction of a protester who laughed during Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ Senate confirmation hearing, finding on Friday that the government had made improper arguments during the trial.
Desiree Fairooz, 61, who was associated with the group Code Pink, had been convicted of disorderly and disruptive conduct and demonstrating inside the Capitol. But Chief Judge Robert E. Morin of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia tossed out the guilty verdict because the government had argued that the laugh in and of itself was enough to warrant a guilty verdict.
Morin said it was “disconcerting” that the government made the case in closing arguments that the laughter in and of itself was sufficient.
“The court is concerned about the government’s theory,” Morin said. He said the laughter “would not be sufficient” to submit the case to the jury, and said the government hadn’t made clear before the trial that it intended to make that argument.
more
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/protester-laughed-jeff-sessions-sentenced_us_5967de92e4b0d6341fe7a9e2?4r
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wondering what was happening.
Another story that should have been on the news every night.
Prison? For laughing? 
Thank you Judge Morin for doing your job. 
.
to a failed alchemy experiment in which the lead is not transformed to gold. 
...sort of like the Republicans' impending failure to pass their wealthcare bill.
Please read the article to the very end.
Last line: "Judge Morin set a new trial date for September 1."
The point is to let the public know they will go after dissenters whenever they can, win or lose. Enough to put a chilling effect on free speech.
Fuck Sessions!
Kudos to the judge.
Hopefully the next jury and judge won't be so authoritarian.
