However, felony murder charges brought on behalf of the District would not be defeated by any pardon. Trump and his fellow insurrectionists might somehow be pardoned when it comes to federal charges. Attorney as well as chief prosecuting attorney for the District of Columbia is unique and important. They died during the course of felonies being perpetrated by Trump and those affiliated with him who advocated the violence that took place. Exhortation of an assault on the Capitol and the elected officials who work therein, brought about five deaths at this early count.Īs a matter of long-established law, it matters not whether those who died, were killed by Trump’s assault force, were killed by Capitol police, or even died by natural causes. Simply stated, one who participates in a felony is responsible for any death that eventuates therefrom, regardless of the actual cause. As you know, the doctrine of felony murder, originating from England, has been a part of American criminal jurisprudence since the country’s founding. There would be nothing at all novel or creative in bringing five counts of felony murder against each. Those who spoke at and underwrote (Alex Jones) Trump’s rally of last Wednesday clearly advocated violence and combat. Attorney has been quoted stating that “Felony murder is always in play in something like this”. I was pleased to read that your First Assistant US. Wideman happens to be an African-American. He spent 44 years in jail until we accomplished a pardon by Pennsylvania’s Governor.

Wideman was knowingly in the wrong place at the wrong time. As part of a botched robbery in 1975 where an accomplice shot an individual who died of medical malpractice. I am an attorney with over thirty-five years of experience in representing Robert Wideman, who was incarcerated for life without the benefit of parole i.e., felony murder. , Ivanka, Giuliani, Hawley, Alex Jones and others Re: Five Counts of Felony Murder for Trump, Trump, Jr. Excerpts from news reports about the case follow the letter.ĪN OPEN LETTER TO THE US ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Schwartz’s letter also refers to a case in which he successfully aided an incarcerated African American prisoner seeking pardon after serving 44 years for a related offense. The letter is below, as I believe his recommendations are timely and should be part of the discussion of legal responses to the insurrection.

Philadelphia civil rights attorney Mark Schwartz has issued an open letter to the federal attorney for Washington DC, in the matter of potential charges in the wake of the U.S.

Scott schwartz bryn mawr pennsylvania