"A magistrate judge in the United States has issued a stern rebuke to the administration of President Donald Trump, criticising its handling of the indictment against a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James Comey. On Monday, Judge William Fitzpatrick of Alexandria, Virginia, made the unusual decision to order the release of all grand jury materials related to the indictment."
"He cited several irregularities in the case, ranging from how evidence was obtained to alleged misstatements from prosecutors that could have swayed the grand jury. The procedural and substantive irregularities that occurred before the grand jury, and the manner in which evidence presented to the grand jury was collected and used, may rise to the level of government misconduct, Fitzpatrick wrote in his 24-page decision."
Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick ordered disclosure of all grand jury materials to James Comey's defense, citing a reasonable basis to question whether government misconduct occurred. Fitzpatrick found procedural and substantive irregularities, including how evidence was obtained and alleged prosecutorial misstatements that could have influenced the grand jury. The judge noted that the relief sought by the defense is rarely granted but determined that the record suggests a pattern of profound investigative missteps. The materials will be provided only to the defense and do not become public. The decision raises concern about interim US Attorney Lindsey Halligan's role given her lack of prosecutorial background.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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