Since it looks like Jack Smith’s case will be put off‚ possibly until after the election‚ Manhattan has determined they will begin the hush money trial on March 25. The star witness against Mr. Trump is Michael Cohen‚ a convicted congenital liar. Donald Trump was in court today‚ and the Judge rejected his lawyer’s request […] The post Donald Trump to Go on Trial in Manhattan on March 25th appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

In September‚ a DC Democrat jury convicted Peter Navarro of contempt of Congress. No Trump supporter can win in DC. Navarro used executive privilege as a defense. He asked the judge to let him remain out of prison pending appeal. District Judge Amit Mehta‚ an Obama appointee‚ denied Navarro’s request. Mr. Navarro will have to […] The post Navarro Must Report to Prison‚ Faces a 3-Democrat Judge Panel Next appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

THE WORLD GOVERNMENTS SUMMIT Thread: How GovTech is being used as a carrot for developing nations‚ a solution for “safer” societies‚ and a “practical” solution for citizens. Tony Blair speaks at the World Government Summit‚ using Albania as a case study. They also talk about how it’s easier to do in destroyed nations. Can social […] The post World Governments Summit Reimagines the State with GovTech appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Grammy-nominated rap artist Mike Posner reflected on his popular song‚ “I Took a Pill in Ibiza‚” ten years after its release‚ saying nothing about the lyrics reflects his life anymore.  The Detroit-based recording artist wrote a lengthy X thread comparing his life now to his life back then. 26: I'm living out in LA‚ I drive a sports car just to proveI'm a real big baller 'cause I made a million dollars and I spend it on girls and shoes 36: donated massive jordan collection‚ drive 4runner‚ don’t need to prove anything to anyone other than God‚ love myself. If i buy… — Mike Posner (@MikePosner) February 14‚ 2024 “on my 26th birthday‚ i wrote I Took A Pill in Ibiza…10 years ago. The song became popular several years after i wrote it. Yesterday i celebrated my 36th birthday. i feel proud to look at the song lyrics and know that NONE of them are true anymore. I’ve grown into a completely new man…one that i’m proud of‚” the post began. Posner went on to break down the “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” lyrics line by line. The song was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2017 Grammys and has sold more than 6 million units in the United States‚ per People. “26:I took a pill in Ibiza to show Avicii I was cool and when I finally got sober‚ felt 10 years older‚ but f*** it‚ it was something to do.”  “36: i love myself more than ever‚ no longer do sh** that harms my body to try to get people to like me.” He continued‚ discussing how the song bragged about him living in Los Angeles‚ driving a sports car‚ and spending “a million dollars on girls and shoes.” The rap artist insists that’s all different now.  Posner said one decade later‚ he “donated massive jordan collection‚ drive 4runner‚ don’t need to prove anything to anyone other than God‚ love myself. If i buy myself something nice‚ it’s because i love myself and i deserve it‚ not because i’m trying to prove to others i’m good enough.” The song’s chorus discusses the loneliness Posner experienced after being high on drugs‚ with lyrics that said‚ “you don’t ever wanna step off that roller coaster and be all alone.”  Now‚ Posner says he doesn’t feel that loneliness. As he shared on X‚ he’s “not even close to alone. spent a decade creating a community of the most loving high powered friends in the world. massive investment into relationship with my mom and sister… best it’s ever been. relationship with God is on a whole new level.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP He also discussed being in a healthy romantic relationship‚ achieving personal goals‚ and becoming “inspiring” to himself and others over the last decade. The Detroit rapper concluded the X thread by saying‚ “If you’re going through sh** right now‚ keep going‚ you have no idea how good your life may be in 10 years.”

A New York judge announced on Thursday that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg‘s hush-money case against former President Donald Trump will proceed to trial in March as planned. Justice Juan Merchan began a Manhattan court hearing by denying Trump’s motion to dismiss the case and saying jury selection would begin on March 25 — a date that’s right smack in the middle of the primary election process — while predicting it would last about six weeks. A lawyer for Trump called the decision a “grave injustice” while bemoaning “compressed and expedited schedules” across multiple legal fights that have coalesced this election season. The hearing continued with deliberations about how the trial will be conducted. Bragg has accused Trump of trying to cover up hush-money payments‚ including to former adult film star Stormy Daniels‚ in a bid to conceal damaging information as part of a “catch-and-kill” scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump‚ who denies any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records‚ attended the hearing in Manhattan on Thursday and spoke to reporters outside the courtroom. The former president drew attention to violent crime in New York City while insisting “they are after me for doing nothing wrong” and Trump claimed “they want to rush it because they want to get it desperately before the election” since he is “doing well.” Trump makes statement outside courtroom: “You have violent migrant crime and they are after me for doing nothing wrong.” pic.twitter.com/IioH9CuzYZ — The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 15‚ 2024 Trump is competing against one remaining major rival in the contest for the GOP presidential nomination‚ Nikki Haley‚ and they have been campaigning in South Carolina ahead of the state’s GOP primary on February 24. Around the New York trial date‚ states that are expected to have GOP primaries on March 19 include Arizona‚ Florida‚ Illinois‚ Kansas‚ and Ohio. Louisiana is slated to have its GOP primary on March 23‚ while Connecticut‚ Delaware‚ New York‚ Rhode Island‚ and Wisconsin are poised to have their Republican primaries on April 2. Trump is facing three other criminal cases and civil litigation as he runs another campaign seeking a second term in the White House. He has claimed that prosecutors are engaged in a politically motivated “witch hunt” against him. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP A judge recently postponed the Washington‚ D.C.‚ trial that had been set for March 4 in special counsel Jack Smith’s 2020 election interference case as Trump’s claims of immunity get considered in higher courts. The May trial picked for Smith’s documents case in Florida is also expected to get pushed back. In a separate matter on Thursday‚ a judge held a hearing in Georgia to consider whether to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from leading another 2020 election case against Trump over allegations of an improper relationship with a top prosecutor she hired. Willis has proposed starting the trial against Trump and other people charged in the case in August.

Alec Baldwin awaits his next court date later this year following his not guilty plea in the shooting on the New Mexico film set of “Rust” in 2021 that left Ukrainian  cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dead and director Joel Souza injured. The 65-year-old actor faces a new involuntary manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting and the case against him now must be made by prosecutors who decided to charge the “Saturday Night Live” star for a second time‚ after previously dismissing charges against him without prejudice‚ Yahoo.com reported. New Charge On January 31‚ Baldwin entered a “not guilty” plea through his attorney and waived his right to an arraignment‚ after a grand jury indicted the actor for involuntary manslaughter‚ as previously reported. If convicted‚ Baldwin could spend up to 18 months in prison. According to the New York Times‚ if the case goes to trial‚ prosecutors will have to prove to a jury either Baldwin’s negligence with the use of a firearm or that he acted with “total disregard or indifference for the safety of others.” In the case of New Mexico vs. Alexander (Alec) Rae Baldwin‚ the Times noted jurors will have to deal with two questions: Number one‚ “Should Mr. Baldwin have known of the danger involved in his actions that day?” and two‚ “Did he [Baldwin] act with a ‘willful disregard for the safety of others?’” IMDB. El Dorado Pictures. The challenge for Baldwin’s legal team will be to explain why the gun was fired in the first place. According to Variety‚ special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis presented a report to the grand jury showing that the shooting occurred by a “pull or rearward depression of the trigger‚” something Baldwin previously had been adamant he hadn’t done. “This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed‚ at some point‚ by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger‚” the report concluded. “Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger‚ given the tests‚ findings and observations reported here‚ the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.” Baldwin’s attorneys‚ Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro‚ released a statement after the indictment and said‚ “We look forward to our day in court‚” Deadline noted. Feeling The Pressure The pressure of the new charge is reportedly getting to Baldwin and his wife Hilaria‚ after a source told People magazine that the couple called the new charge “frustrating” and “very stressful.” Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for PEN America “They had a great Christmas and New Year. Hilaria also just turned 40. This is not how they wanted to start the new year‚” the source told the outlet. “It’s stressful for Hilaria. It’s frustrating for them both that Alec is being recharged. They knew there was a possibility there would be a new indictment‚” they added. “The back and forth is hard. It’s very stressful.” SAG-AFTRA Defends Baldwin Shortly after the Grand Jury indicted the actor‚ the actor’s union SAG-AFTRA came to Baldwin’s defense and said in a lengthy statement‚ “an actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert.” “To the extent that the charges filed on January 19 are based on an accusation of negligent use of a firearm predicated on this or any actor having a duty to inspect a firearm as part of its use‚ that is an incorrect assessment of the actual duties of an actor on set‚” the statement read. The guidelines require an experienced‚ qualified armorer to be put in charge of all handling‚ use‚ and safekeeping of firearms on set‚” the statement added. “These duties include ‘inspecting the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence‚’ and ‘checking all firearms before each use.'” “The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm‚” the statement continued. “Performers train to perform‚ and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect. Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use‚ but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer.” History Of The Case In January 2023‚ the Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office charged Baldwin with two counts of involuntary manslaughter following the Oct. 2021 shooting of Hutchins on the New Mexico film set. The firearm Baldwin was holding discharged a bullet. Baldwin has repeatedly maintained that there was “no trigger pull.” Sam Wasson/Getty Images At the time‚ Nikas said that Baldwin “had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set‚” CBS News reported. “He relied on the professionals with whom he worked‚ who assured him the gun did not have live rounds‚” he added. “We will fight these charges‚ and we will win.”  The charges were dismissed without prejudice in April after the actor’s legal team claimed the gun had been modified in some way which caused it to malfunction‚ the Associated Press noted. Prosecutors made clear at the time‚ “This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled.” “The gun and broken sear have been sent to the state’s independent expert for further testing‚” the office said at the time. “The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible malfunction of the gun significantly affects causation with regard to Baldwin‚ not with regard to Gutierrez. If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction‚ charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed.” The state of New Mexico brought in gun analysts Lucien Haag and Mike Haag in its case against “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to determine if the gun had been modified. That report determined the “trigger had to [be] pulled or depressed.” The set of “Rust.” IMDB. El Dorado Pictures. Nikas’ previous argument will likely be used once more to fight the new charge‚ as the Times points out‚ after investigators in the case had found Baldwin had reason to believe the gun he was rehearsing with‚ on the day of the fatal shooting‚ contained no live rounds‚ and the fact that there’s never supposed to be any live ammunition on a film set. According to People magazine‚ Baldwin was expected back in court to face the charge against him on Aug. 6. But as The Hollywood Reporter points out‚ when the judge on the case was reassigned‚ the trial was postponed. Other Charges In ‘Rust’ Shooting In March 2023‚ NPR reported “Rust” assistant director and safety coordinator David Halls pleaded no contest to unsafe handling of a firearm and received a suspended sentence of six months of probation. Gutierrez-Reed was charged with involuntary manslaughter and pleaded not guilty in August‚ the AP noted. Her trial is set for February 21‚ 2024‚ Variety noted.

A man convicted of murder in Rochester‚ New York‚ has had his conviction overturned due to a legal error committed prior to his trial. Terrence Lewis was convicted in 2018 of the second-degree murder of 29-year-old Johnny Washington‚ whom Lewis killed in a drive-by shooting in 2015‚ the Democrat &; Chronicle reported. Prior to the trial‚ however‚ moving Lewis between correctional facilities violated a state law that required his indictment be thrown out. Lewis was already in a Pennsylvania federal prison in 2017 for a federal drug conviction when he was indicted for Washington’s murder‚ the Chronicle reported. In January 2018‚ he was transported to the Monroe County Jail in New York and arraigned in Monroe County Court. Before the trial‚ however‚ Lewis was returned to the federal prison in Pennsylvania‚ where he stayed for two months before once again being sent to the Monroe County Jail ahead of his trial. This transfer‚ a New York Supreme Court judge ruled‚ violated a provision of the federal Interstate Agreement on Detainer’s (IAD) law. That provision states that if a trial is not held before the prisoner is returned to his or her original place of imprisonment‚ the indictment must be thrown out. “The harsh reality is that despite a jury of 12 members of our community determining‚ after hearing all of the evidence set before them‚ that defendant is guilty of the murder of Johnny C. Washington‚ this administrative jail decision made based on jail population and timing‚ not the law‚ unequivocally entitles defendant to dismissal of the murder in the second degree indictment with prejudice under the exacting requirements of the anti-shuttling provisions of the IAD‚” Acting state Supreme Court Justice Stephen T. Miller ruled earlier this month‚ according to the Chronicle. Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter said in a press release that he had apologized to Washington’s family. “To the family and friends of Mr. Johnny Washington‚ there are no words to take away the pain you are justly feeling that undoubtedly comes with the lack of fairness being served based on this decision‚ which violates the principles of justice‚” he said. “I extend my sincere apology.” Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Amy Young told the Chronicle that this legal argument wasn’t raised before‚ during‚ or after Lewis’ trial. Lewis had been turned over in October 2020 to the New York State Department of Corrections to serve his 22 22-year-to-life sentence for Washington’s murder‚ and it wasn’t until this year that the issue of IAD violation was brought up. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The sheriff’s office said it “immediately took corrective measures” in the wake of the Lewis decision‚ including: Conducted an audit pursuant to IADs to identify whether there were any individuals‚ currently or formerly incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail‚ dating back to 2018‚ in on an IAD; the audit revealed there were no other incarcerated individuals held on an IAD Conducted a review of our transfer procedures Provided training on the IAD Law to appropriate staff responsible for transferring incarcerated individuals; implemented a new procedure that indicates anytime MCSO transfers an incarcerated individual out of state‚ awaiting trial in Monroe County‚ MCSO notifies the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office and the judge assigned to the case before the relocation Lewis was released from a maximum security state prison in New York earlier this month.