“Investigate the DC Jail”
In a show of strength, DC Circuit Court Judge Royce Lamberth found the Washington, D.C. Department of Corrections Director and Warden in contempt for failure to timely respond to his order to produce medical records of inmate Christopher Worrell.
How’s that for a super serious court ruling that should make us all excited?
Christopher Worrell is one of the 37 defendants, charged with crimes relative to the events of January 6, being held over in prison, pending trial. Worrell was arrested March 12 and has been in jail since. Charged, but not convicted. Not even having a trial date scheduled.
More than 650 men and women have been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice since January 6. 37 remain in prison, pending trial.
Worrell entered the federal prison system with a pre-existing medical condition: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Four separate motions have been filed by Worrell’s attorneys requesting release to home confinement pending trial because the DC Department of Corrections is not affording him timely and proper medical care and treatment. The DC Department of Corrections won’t even coordinate with the US Marshals Service to transport Worrell to an appointment with an oncologist.
Judge Lambeth ruled:
“It’s clear to me the civil rights of the defendant were violated by the DC Department of Corrections.”
Strong and clear language from a judge nominated to the federal bench by President Reagan. Judge Lamberth is a Veteran. A former JAG Corps Attorney. A drafter of federal ethics parameters.
This is a fantastic ruling, and it comes months after not only Worrell’s attorney, but also multiple others, have been complaining about the treatment of the defendants by prison guards and staff. I covered prison abuse in my book about January 6 in relation to defendants Jessica Watkins, Ronald Sandlin, and Ryan Samuel, and I’ve been talking about it at length on radio shows and podcasts since last April.
Judge Lambeth’s ruling included, also, something extraordinary.
Judge Lambeth directed the U.S. Attorney General to conduct an investigation into prison conditions of not only Worrell, but, also, all other January 6 defendants.
Phrased another way, to investigate the prison conditions of ALL of the 37 defendants being held over pending trial for charges relating to January 6.
Big win!
Why is this a big win? Court documents in various cases I have reviewed, as well as in media reports, allege the defendants have been subjected to Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (“EITs”), physical violence, emotional abuse, interference in the attorney-client relationship, depravation of medial care, housing problems with mold and brown water, lack of basic personal hygiene such as haircuts and shaves, and solitary confinement.
I was early off the mark to be writing and talking about prisoner abuse, but the media started catching up, and now the Court is aware and is ordering something be done about it.
Consider also that in his decision, Judge Lamberth literally said,
“Does no one care? Does not one follow up?”
I care, and I know you do too. It is time for us to raise our voices to support those who have been charged.
The investigation into prison conditions falls under the auspices of U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who heads the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Her professional bio page includes the description that her responsibility as “to uphold the constitutional and civil rights of all those who live in America.”
This represents an opportunity for us to help to put the system back on track.
Let’s call upon Assistant AG Clarke to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation into the conditions of the January 6 detainees, in accordance with the order of Judge Lamberth of October 13, 2021.
You can reach Ms. Clarke at (202) 514-3847 and at 9500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20530-0001.
On October 14, I recorded a 25-minute Facebook live for a more in-depth discussion of Judge Lamberth’s ruling, the abuse being suffered, and the call to action. Please be welcomed to view it, share it, and let me know any questions you have. You can find me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/2ALaw
Now: make the call.
