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Appeals Court Rules D.C. Jurors Can Be Fair in Jan. 6 Trials

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Many of the more than 150 Jan. 6 defendants who have gone to trial have argued for a change of venue on the basis of political bias of the jury pool or lingering anger over the events of Jan. 6. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

A federal appeals court has ruled that Washington, D.C.’s political leanings do not inherently bias its residents against defendants from the January 6th Capitol riot. This decision came from a unanimous three-judge panel, including two Trump appointees, in the case of former NYPD officer Thomas Webster. Webster had argued that the D.C. jury pool was too politically biased to give him a fair trial.

The court’s ruling emphasized that a community’s general political inclinations do not preclude individual jurors from being impartial. This decision supports the established process of screening jurors for bias before trials. It also potentially impacts the stalled effort to try former President Donald Trump on related charges, suggesting that his concerns over jury bias might not be sufficient for a venue change.Key Points:

  • Court Decision: D.C.’s political leanings do not equate to juror bias.Panel Composition: Decision by a three-judge panel, including Trump and Obama appointees.Thomas Webster Case: Ex-NYPD officer’s argument for venue change due to bias rejected.Implications for Trump: Ruling may affect Trump’s efforts to change trial venue for his charges related to the 2020 election and January 6th riot.
    • The ruling underscores the judiciary’s confidence in the ability of jurors to remain fair and impartial, regardless of their community’s political landscape.

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