Update on the retrial of David McKay, what WCCO doesn't tell you

[annm4peace]

UPDATE 3/16 2:50pm: No jury selection today. Potential jurors were in hallway as defense, prosecution debate plea. Judge will issue final decision on whether to accept plea at 9 am Tuesday. It is possible he may accept the plea, but seems unlikely. Important note for observers: 15 minutes before hearing, an arbitrary ruling that no backpacks will be allowed in the gallery. Don't bring a backpack!

UPDATE 3/16 2:15pm: Appears to be going into trial/jury selection. McKay attempts to plead guilty, but judge refuses to take the plea!

UPDATE 3/16 9:30am: David McKay may take a plea to one charge of possession of a destructive device on Monday morning. Pressure to plea out has come from the government as co-defendant Bradley Crowder was to be subpoenaed for the first time to testify against McKay and was reportedly threatened with additional prison time (plus the Feds' credibility would be severely damaged by failing to convict him again). All are invited to pack the courtroom at 9am Monday in a show of solidarity against dirty government tactics!

(original story below)

The retrial begins Monday March 16th, 9:00 AM, Room 15E, U.S. Courts Building, 300 South 4th St, Downtown Mineapolis. Back in early February, David McKay's first trial ended in a hung jury after more than a week of proceedings and deliberation. It is believed that the jury could not decide if FBI informant Brandon Darby's involvment qualified as entrapment -- they were concerned with the difference between "inducing" and "persuading" an action. After the case was declared a mistrial, Judge Davis, who is presiding over this upcoming trial as well, allowed David to post bond and return home to Texas for the first time since September.

http://twincities.indymedia.org/

[KappyStP]

1. Dirty government tactics?

Come on! His co-defendant, the one who never claimed anything about Darby is slated to testify against McKay. It is becoming clear McKay lied about the involvement of Darby, and the prosecution is trying to give McKay an out by allowing him to plea out and in return get less jail time.

Welcome to the real world...