- cross-posted to:
- news_us@lemmy.link
- cross-posted to:
- news_us@lemmy.link
The former Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of stealing and disseminating classified Pentagon records online is asking a federal judge to set him free and reverse a previous ruling that he remain in pretrial detention. The filing draws a direct comparison to former President Donald Trump, who remains free pending trial for his alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Attorneys for Jack Teixeira on Monday appealed the May detention order imposed by Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy, asking the Massachusetts Federal District Court judge to reconsider Teixeira’s release, arguing the defendant is not a flight risk, poses no risk of obstruction of justice and can be released under certain conditions.
The crimes aren’t quite the same though. As far as I’m aware Trump is charged with mishandling/retaining classified documents and then a slew of charges from trying to obstruct and cover up. He’s not charged with transmitting (leaking/selling) the information. And being a former president really does muddy the waters - because usually the espionage act isn’t trying someone that once held broad authority to declassify information.
The bail system and the law in general are favorable to the wealthy and affluent but these two cases aren’t apples to apples.