Ex-FBI Chief Comey in court over charge of threatening Trump's life

已複製連結

Former FBI Director James Comey made his first court appearance Wednesday in a criminal case against him over a social media post the Justice Department considers a call to assassinate President Donald Trump. He was indicted in North Carolina on Tuesday on charges of making threats against President Donald Trump related to a photograph of seashells arranged in the numbers "86 47." 

Comey didn't speak or enter a plea during the appearance. But his legal team teed up at least one argument expected to be invoked, with defence lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald saying attorneys would argue that the prosecution is vindictive and selective and would ask prosecutors to save communications relevant for that motion. 

US Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick also rejected the government's request to set conditions on Comey's release, calling it unnecessary.

In the past, the Supreme Court has held that statements are not protected by the First Amendment if they meet the legal threshold of a "true threat."

The indictment accuses Comey of acting "knowingly and willfully,"; Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has declined to elaborate on what evidence of intent the government has. 

Broad First Amendment protections for free speech, Supreme Court precedent and Comey's public statements indicating that he did not intend to convey a threat will likely impose a tall burden for the government.

The indictment is the second against Comey, the first one, on unrelated false statement and obstruction charges, was dismissed by a judge last November. 

As FBI director, Comey oversaw the early months of an investigation into whether Trump's 2016 campaign had coordinated with Russia to sway the outcome of that year's election. Comey was fired by Trump months into the president's first term, and the president and his supporters have sought retribution ever since over the Russia investigation.