In another blow to prosecutors, a federal judge in Detroit on Wednesday denied a request by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that she reconsider her ruling to release nine jailed members of the Michigan-based Hutaree Christian militia on bond pending trial.
As a result, the jailed members could be released as early as Thursday.
“The Government did not demonstrate serious questions going to the merits, nor did it demonstrate that there is irreparable injury to the Government, or to the public, which outweighs the harm Defendants would suffer if a stay is granted,” U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts ruled Wednesday in a written ruling.
Roberts on Monday ruled, against the government’s objections, that the members be freed on bond. The government, which has alleged that the members were plotting to kill cops, filed an appeal of that ruling, asking the judge reverse her ruling to release the defendants.
On Wednesday, she denied that. The government could appeal that ruling.
On Monday, Roberts ruled that the defendants be released and said: “The United States is correct that it need not wait until the people are killed before it arrests conspirators. But defendants are also correct: their right to engage in hate-filled, venomous speech, is a right that deserves First Amendment protection.”
