By Luis De Jesus
A federal judge in Washington expressed this Monday Concern over treatment of man accused of trying to attack President Donald Trump during the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association.
The magistrate Zia Faruqui questioned prison officials about the reasons why they subjected the detainee to strict surveillance measures for suicide risk after his arrest.
The accused, Cole Tomas Allen, He was initially held under a suicide prevention protocol that involved isolation in a padded room with constant lighting, frequent body searches, and the use of handcuffs outside his cell.
Your lawyers They denounced that these conditions were unnecessary, Therefore, the authorities had to make their situation more flexible during the weekend.
Despite these changes, Judge Faruqui stated concerns about possible discriminatory and punitive treatment that could violate your rights to due process. During the hearing, he stressed that people accused of violent crimes are usually housed in the same prison without being subject to such a restrictive regime.
“Being in that situation could drive anyone crazy,” he stated.
The defense maintains that Allen showed no signs of suicide risk at the time of his arrest. However, a prison psychiatrist initially concluded otherwise, according to Tony Towns, acting legal advisor for the corrections department, who argued that each case is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
After reviewing your status, Allen was taken to protective custody, a measure that his lawyers did not challenge. Although the defense requested to cancel the hearing, the judge decided to keep it due to the seriousness of their concerns.
The incident that gave rise to the case It occurred on April 25 at the Washington Hilton resort, where the event was held. According to authorities, Allen managed to get through a security take care of watch over armed with guns and knives and shot at a Secret Service agent.
The prosecution indicated that the accused also fired a shot which hit the agent’s bulletproof vest.
Allen later told the FBI that he did not expect to survive the attack, an element that the prosecution said could justify the initial suicide risk assessment.
The defendant, 31 years old and living in California, faces charges of attempted assassination of the president and other weapons-related crimes. If found guilty, He could be sentenced to life imprisonment.
His lawyer also reported that have been denied basic requests in prison, such as access to a Bible and a visit from a chaplain.
Keep reading:
• Authorities confirm that Cole Allen’s shot hit a Secret Service agent during dinner with Trump
• Prosecutor’s Office releases new video showing Cole Allen shooting agent during White House Correspondents’ Dinner
• Political tension: White House targets Democrats after assassination attempt on Trump