If this subject doesn't interest you, feel free to skip. Some people on the board don't consider it a major issue, and that's fine. But for the rest of us, interesting plea deals from 3 different Proud Boys this past week.
So the head of the North Carolina chapter Charles Donohoe pled guilty on Fri to reduced charges...
"The two charges Donohoe are facing are conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.
Donohoe’s crimes carry a sentencing range of 70 to 87 months as well as a fine of between $25,000 and $250,000, the Charlotte Observer reported. Had he gone to trial, he faced a combined maximum sentence of almost 30 years and a fine of up to $500,000. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date."
So am I correct in assuming that the 70 months is the minimum recommended for the charges he pled guilty to? Seems strange he would plead guilty to charges which carry a likely 7 yr sentence if he didn't feel there was a real chance he'd be convicted of the more serious charges that could result in 30 yrs and a $500,000 fine. And even stranger they have no proof he entered the building and in fact didn't try to charge him with that. So in order to feel like 7 yrs was a reasonable sentence to agree to, it would seem they really had him and he knew it.
Reading thru the Charlotte Observer story, they point out that the Judge who will ultimately sentence him Timothy Kelly, is a Dukie appointed to his position as a US District Judge by Trump. According to WAPO, Kelly has previously pushed back on the Government's claims of a "Proud Boys Conspiracy". But based on yesterday's proceedings, it's possible Judge Kelly has shifted his views...
Kelly did agree to keep him confined till sentencing, and as he discussed the plea deal he did indicate that the Prosecution might be inclined to push for leniency in light of Donohoe's pledge to provide evidence against other defendants. But he cautioned Donohoe that the Govt would need to feel his aid had been "substantial". So it will be interesting to track how this case progresses...
So the head of the North Carolina chapter Charles Donohoe pled guilty on Fri to reduced charges...
"The two charges Donohoe are facing are conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.
Donohoe’s crimes carry a sentencing range of 70 to 87 months as well as a fine of between $25,000 and $250,000, the Charlotte Observer reported. Had he gone to trial, he faced a combined maximum sentence of almost 30 years and a fine of up to $500,000. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date."
So am I correct in assuming that the 70 months is the minimum recommended for the charges he pled guilty to? Seems strange he would plead guilty to charges which carry a likely 7 yr sentence if he didn't feel there was a real chance he'd be convicted of the more serious charges that could result in 30 yrs and a $500,000 fine. And even stranger they have no proof he entered the building and in fact didn't try to charge him with that. So in order to feel like 7 yrs was a reasonable sentence to agree to, it would seem they really had him and he knew it.
Reading thru the Charlotte Observer story, they point out that the Judge who will ultimately sentence him Timothy Kelly, is a Dukie appointed to his position as a US District Judge by Trump. According to WAPO, Kelly has previously pushed back on the Government's claims of a "Proud Boys Conspiracy". But based on yesterday's proceedings, it's possible Judge Kelly has shifted his views...
Kelly did agree to keep him confined till sentencing, and as he discussed the plea deal he did indicate that the Prosecution might be inclined to push for leniency in light of Donohoe's pledge to provide evidence against other defendants. But he cautioned Donohoe that the Govt would need to feel his aid had been "substantial". So it will be interesting to track how this case progresses...
