Federal Judge Questions Trump Administration's Refusal to Change Narrative Around Border Patrol Shooting Victim.
A US District Judge, Georgia Alexakis, has expressed her frustration over the Trump administration's failure to change its narrative around a woman shot by a Border Patrol agent in Chicago. Marimar Martinez, who was shot five times on October 4th, is still being referred to as a "domestic terrorist" despite prosecutors dropping an assault charge against her two months ago.
Judge Alexakis gave prosecutors until the end of the day Monday to explain why she shouldn't modify a previous order allowing Martinez to release evidence from her case. Martinez's attorney, Chris Parente, argued that releasing the evidence would contradict the government's claims that his client had boxed in and ambushed federal agents.
Despite the prosecutors' request for a week to respond in writing, Judge Alexakis urged them to move more quickly. She emphasized the need for specific information about what materials need to remain sealed and why.
Parente stated that Trump administration officials have continued to smear Martinez's name without making any attempt to correct the narrative, despite dismissing the charges against her. He argued that the government should not be in the business of trying to assassinate characters through press releases, especially when they themselves have dismissed the charges.
Martinez is among 32 known defendants charged with nonimmigration crimes tied to a federal deportation campaign in Chicago's federal court. Fifteen of those defendants have already been cleared, but no one has been convicted.
The judge questioned whether the Department of Homeland Security had taken down its previous statements about Martinez or if it had issued a press release saying that the criminal case was dismissed with prejudice by the government. Prosecutors argued that unsealing the materials could compromise the privacy interests of witnesses and an ongoing investigation, but they did not specify what the investigation was.
The judge criticized prosecutors' claims that the materials could not be released due to an ongoing investigation, emphasizing the need for detailed information about the investigation. Martinez's attorney stated that his client feels a duty not to be silenced about what she knows is in the record of the case, particularly in light of recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
Martinez will testify at a public forum in D.C. on Tuesday about the "violent tactics" and use of force by federal agents.
A US District Judge, Georgia Alexakis, has expressed her frustration over the Trump administration's failure to change its narrative around a woman shot by a Border Patrol agent in Chicago. Marimar Martinez, who was shot five times on October 4th, is still being referred to as a "domestic terrorist" despite prosecutors dropping an assault charge against her two months ago.
Judge Alexakis gave prosecutors until the end of the day Monday to explain why she shouldn't modify a previous order allowing Martinez to release evidence from her case. Martinez's attorney, Chris Parente, argued that releasing the evidence would contradict the government's claims that his client had boxed in and ambushed federal agents.
Despite the prosecutors' request for a week to respond in writing, Judge Alexakis urged them to move more quickly. She emphasized the need for specific information about what materials need to remain sealed and why.
Parente stated that Trump administration officials have continued to smear Martinez's name without making any attempt to correct the narrative, despite dismissing the charges against her. He argued that the government should not be in the business of trying to assassinate characters through press releases, especially when they themselves have dismissed the charges.
Martinez is among 32 known defendants charged with nonimmigration crimes tied to a federal deportation campaign in Chicago's federal court. Fifteen of those defendants have already been cleared, but no one has been convicted.
The judge questioned whether the Department of Homeland Security had taken down its previous statements about Martinez or if it had issued a press release saying that the criminal case was dismissed with prejudice by the government. Prosecutors argued that unsealing the materials could compromise the privacy interests of witnesses and an ongoing investigation, but they did not specify what the investigation was.
The judge criticized prosecutors' claims that the materials could not be released due to an ongoing investigation, emphasizing the need for detailed information about the investigation. Martinez's attorney stated that his client feels a duty not to be silenced about what she knows is in the record of the case, particularly in light of recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
Martinez will testify at a public forum in D.C. on Tuesday about the "violent tactics" and use of force by federal agents.
. judge georgia alexakis is all up in arms about it too... seems fair to me tho 
. prosecutors wanna keep her 'domestic terrorist' label, but martinez's lawyer is all "nope, ur not getting away with that" 
. i feel bad for marimar tho, having her name smeared like that... just want the truth come out and let people decide 
.
I mean, come on, five shots? That's not just "ambushing" - that's a serious allegation. And now Judge Alexakis is questioning why the admin can't just change their narrative and let Martinez tell her side of the story? 
It's like they're trying to cover up something big.
Like, what are they hiding? And now Martinez is speaking out and sharing her story with a public forum in DC - I'm so down for that! 
It's time someone spoke truth to power about this border patrol scandal.
. It's like they're stuck in the past, you know? The fact that the Trump administration is still trying to spin this whole thing as Martinez being a 'domestic terrorist' is just ridiculous 
. I mean, come on, the prosecutors dropped an assault charge against her two months ago! It's not like she's some kind of threat anymore.
Judge Alexakis wants to get to the bottom of things ASAP, but it feels like everyone's just dragging their feet. I mean, 15 defendants have already been cleared and nobody's been convicted... what's taking so long?
. She deserves to be heard and for people to know the truth about what really went down here. Let's hope justice is finally served 
. It's not right that she's being silenced just because the government doesn't want her story out there 
. It's time for this government to start being honest with itself (and the public) about its actions 
.