- cross-posted to:
- texas@lemmy.world
- politics@sh.itjust.works
- cross-posted to:
- texas@lemmy.world
- politics@sh.itjust.works
Plaintiffs in lawsuit allege they were terrorized for more than 90 minutes as at least 40 vehicles encircled the bus
A jury trial opening in Austin, Texas, on Monday will seek to hold Trump supporters accountable for allegedly ambushing a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris campaign bus on the state’s main highway in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege they were terrorised and intimidated for more than 90 minutes as they took a bus tour canvassing for the Democratic ticket in the final days of the election.
At least 40 vehicles flying Make America great again flags formed themselves into a so-called “Trump Train” and encircled the bus, trying to run it off the road and playing what the suit claims was a “madcap game of highway ‘chicken’”.
The plaintiffs, who include the bus driver, a Biden campaign staffer and Wendy Davis, the former Texas senator and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, say they were forced to cancel campaign events for fear that the intimidation would be repeated. They are pursuing punitive damages under both Texas law and the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, a federal statute from the Reconstruction period designed to end political violence and voter intimidation.
Why did it take this long to go to trial? That’s pathetic.
It’s only a civil lawsuit - these usually take time.
Note that no one has been criminally charged in this, which is absolutely ridiculous.
Nobody charged because the perpetrators are wealthy and connected. I would be amazed if this civil action suit did not languish in court for years.
This occurred close by me, and I remember the chilling effect this had on all democratic campaigns hundreds of miles away.
The sheriff and other local law enforcement agencies helped prolong the harassment by not doing anything despite multiple 911 calls. This was a combination of complicity and fear.
The real reason the cops didn’t do shit right here.
Also because it’s hard to pretend to be two people at once
Not surprised no one was charged, the local police refused to respond to their 911 calls during the attack so the DA refusing to press charges makes perfect sense.
Huh?
This is how our justice system works…
If you can’t afford bail, you’re locked up for a year or two easily pending trial. Which makes even innocent people take plea agreements.
Plea agreements are a lot better for DAs and prosecutors, they do t have to prove anyone is guilty, just keep arresting poor people who dont have this large network of idiots that will pay their bail. When something does go to trial, it takes years.
If you’re surprised about this, you need to learn more about our justice system and how it actually works.
Fair warning tho, it’s gonna be depressing
This is a civil case.
Technically true
The reality is it’s the same concept
No it’s not. There’s no bail, for example, and no plea bargaining in civil cases; jail time isn’t on the table, the district attorney isn’t involved, the standard of evidence is lower, and the rules of procedure are different.
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And yet like they said the reality is still the same. The less wealthy individual always have a massive disadvantage. Things will be stretched out, they’ll be massive fees, and massive hurdles to overcome. Our court systems are designed to favor the wealthy and the well connected.
First comes the discovery phase where both sides exchange evidence and the court settles any evidentiary questions. This phase can frequently take longer than the trial itself.
Pathetic and expected. It takes a lot of time and money to bring someone to trial. And since lawyers are paid hourly, both sides simply love to stretch it out as long as possible.