#FreeCommanderX Update via Attorney Jay Rorty
Court appearance July 20, 2021 is public ~ Access instructions via link below
Last week I reached out to public defender Jay Rorty because scant updates were appearing in Twitter searches. On the bright side he explained there has been overwhelming interest in ways to support Commander X but fielding a steady stream of calls has got to cut into time available for defense work.
One thing everyone can do that makes a huge positive impact is to send mail to the jail. Not only does jail mail help prisoners know there is support in the world outside it lets BoP know we are watching. Expect us.
In the interest of consolodating the basic information about the case and sparing Jay Rorty a continuing flood of well meaning inquires, here’s everything that can be shared publically at the moment as well as a link to view the July 20th hearing. His reply is the bulk of the content and in italics so it’s easier to differentiate from my comments.
"I hope this information assists your efforts....
Thank you for reaching out to me in support of your friend and my client Christopher Doyon. As an attorney, I am bound by the attorney-client privilege in that I cannot reveal any communications from my client to any person without his permission. I can relay facts which are in the public record and will be glad to provide updates about the status of the case to the extent they are public.
As to facts that are not in the public record, but are not privileged, such as the conditions of Mr. Doyon's confinement or my thoughts regarding a defense, I will also require Mr. Doyon's permission before sharing these details. I trust you will understand that my reticence is designed to protect Mr. Doyon's interests. I further trust that he will appreciate and wish to draw on the support of his many friends.
Here is some public information that may assist your understanding of the case.
Mr. Doyon is charged in two cases. The Indictments are attached. As you will see, he is charged in a 2011 case with an intrusion into a protected computer, a denial of service attack on Santa Cruz County. He is also charged with the independent offense of flight while on pretrial release in that case. It is possible there will be additional charges in the Northern District of California or elsewhere, but if there are, they have not been unsealed.
Mr. Doyon is being held in the Santa Rita Alameda County jail while in U.S. Marshal custody. He has waived a detention hearing for the moment as his release is unlikely given the flight charges. Santa Rita maintains a 14 day COVID quarantine for arriving inmates. No visiting or in person visits with attorneys are permitted during that period.
Mr. Doyon's next court appearance is July 20, 2021 before Judge Freeman in the San Jose venue of the U.S. District Court. It is unknown whether the appearance will be in person and if it is whether the public will be permitted to attend due to public health imitations. The appearance will certainly be accessible to the public by webinar. Access instructions are at the link below.
https://cand-uscourts.zoomgov.com/j/1607141430?pwd=OEszVGhPbTcxbjRGZngveGhmRnV5UT09
Webinar ID: 160 714 1430
Password: 773627
Message re: alternate or supplemental representation:
I have spoken to Jay Leiderman. He is not available to take Christopher's case. I have not heard from Tor Ecklund. I should explain that I am appointed by the court. I was randomly selected from a panel of qualified counsel. As I have extensive experience defending computer intrusion cases and have represented activists in the past, largely through pro bono work with the National Lawyers Guild and my role as Director of the national ACLU's Criminal Law Reform Project, I think we're a good fit, but that's up to Christopher. He can retain or substitute new counsel at any point and I will defer to and support his choice, but I cannot co-counsel with others.
I will confer with Christopher about both legal and communication strategy. My default position on media requests related to my clients is "no comment" and if the client wants/insists on commenting on their case, I advise them as to the repercussions for their legal situation. My focus is on the best outcome for my individual client, which usually means spending the least amount of time in custody as possible and having the least onerous restrictions on their liberty out of custody. Some clients have other priorities such as furthering a political movement, and I work to support those goals consistent with my ethical obligations to the client and the court. Does all that make sense?”
That’s all for the moment another update should be available this week after they have a chance to meet. We hope the solitary confinement is ended with the two week COVID quarantine and his sister Amy Beth is able to meet with him soon. Incarceration is hard on the families as well as those behind bars so remember to share the love and support there too, no question X will apprecite it big time.