Maybenaut wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 2:48 pm
noblepa wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 1:56 pm
(plea deal says Ivey skipped Trump Jan 6 rally, because it was crowded)
Doesn't that lend credence to the argument that Trump's speech did NOT incite the insurrectionists? After all, how could Ivey have been incited by Trump's word's at the rally, if he did not attend the rally?
Just because he didn’t attend, doesn’t mean he didn’t hear it. Even if this one guy wasn’t invited by it, that doesn’t mean others weren’t.
I know all that. He wouldn't even have been in DC that day if he hadn't already swallowed Trumps lies.
But, if anyone ever comes close to charging Trump with incitement, he can point to this, and possibly other, statements that the insurrectionist didn't attend to argue that his January 6 speech could not have been the proximate cause of the attack.
IANAL, but, in a court, accusers would have to point to specific actions or words on Trump's part that caused "otherwise peaceful" listeners to attack the Capital. If anyone ever tries to charge Trump, the riot will be exhibit A. If he can plausibly argue that the rioters didn't act because of his exhortations, that may create reasonable doubt.
Don't get me wrong. I'm definitely not making the argument that Trump is not culpable. I'm simply suggesting that others may use this plea as "proof" that Trump was not to blame.
Trump is guilty as sin. The attack on the Capital, and his attacks on democracy in general, are, IMHO, his greatest crimes, with potentially the longest lasting and most devastating consequences.