cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/35031597
A grand jury declined for a third time to indict a D.C. woman accused of assaulting an FBI agent during an inmate swap with ICE – a rare loss for federal prosecutors that could foreshadow further trouble if the case goes to trial.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office said in a filing Monday it would move ahead with charging Sidney Lori Reid with a misdemeanor for the alleged assault outside the D.C. Jail in July. A magistrate judge had given prosecutors until Monday afternoon to secure an indictment against Reid or see the felony version of the assault charge dismissed.
A grand jury declining to indict three times on the same case is a warning the evidence may not stand up at trial, according to attorney Christopher Macchiaroli, a partner at Silverman Thompson Slutkin White who previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the federal prosecutor’s office in D.C.
Despite the good news, I honestly believe they don’t care whether she is found guilty or not. They already succeeded by making this women’s life hell for as long as possible over nothing, and it’s not even over yet.
I think there is value in it if it spreads as a reminder of juror nullification, and gives the idea that you will not be charged if you fight back against ice.