Extradition September hearing Day 4 Morning Session
On the video link.
Today’s witness is expected to be Eric
Lewis, a Washington, DC–based attorney with experience of national security cases in EDVA and complex cases with UK-US cross border implications.

His cross-examination is expected to take a full day.
I will refer to him as Eric, to avoid confusion with the Prosecution’s Lewis in Court

I have put in a request to see the defendant more often in order to establish
how he attempts to communicate with his lawyers,
how often
and whether it is successful.

Each day we are read a statement before joining the court hearing..

that includes advice that we will not be able to see the defendant at all times. However, on each day, we get a one to two second glimpse of him, once.

Stella & Jennifer are in court, as are Summers & Fitzgerald. Prosecution junior counsel is also there.
There is apparently a balcony which we can’t see and that is where John Shipton and Craig Murray are sitting.
The camera angle is a little wider ..

Joseph is there & Smith (Prosecution) also there. More people wearing masks & one of the court officials is wearing a face shield.

If they maintain this camera angle, we will get a one second glimpse of Julian behind the glass as he is walked in to his seat

Lewis too has arrived. It’s unclear whether Julian’s lawyers have seen him at all today. They had been seeing him from 10-10.30 but the judge asked if that could happen 9.30 - 10.

Kristinn in too

Judge in.
Waiting for Julian.
Julian in.

We were just given a look at Julian

They are discussing face masks.....

There have been difficulties getting masks for Julian

This is a problem Summers says when they are conferring with him

Eric Lewis has not been connected yet..

Julian wearing a heavier jacket and his hair is combed back showing all of his face

The judge has just asked that witnesses be told they can only drink clear liquids (Mr Timms was drinking coffee).

Back to the regular angle so less is visible.
Eric has appeared.
We can hear him.
Sound is terrible

He sounds underwater

Eric: it’s significant that JA was not indicted till 2018.
No publisher has ever been successfully prosecuted for publishing Nat Sec info.
The Justice Dept’s view was there was an impedement: “the lNYT problem”

The NYT

Sources named & unnamed in Justice Dept told a highly acclaimed journalist this is why they can’t prosecute, plus the Pentagon Papers court decision. Quotes Matthew Miller also.

Eric: Quotes Pompeo’s statements about JA & Wikileaks. Sessions then made clear it was a priority to arrest JA & pressured prosecutors in Virginia. He said he wanted him arrested a year before he was indicted.

Eric: first indictment was a response to that (& avoided the “NYT problem) & second indictment
makes clear the publishing of information is not a first amendment issue for this administration -17 Espionage charges reflects Barr’s view & is an abuse of federal law enforcement

Eric: The same facts have been there for years.
Kromberg knows no action was taken earlier & doesn’t explain why the same evidence now warranted the superseding indictment

Eric: Sarah Sanders Press Sec in a book said Obama did nothing we are the only administration taking this seriously.
JA will be imprisoned for life. Kromberg says 4-6 years. Going from 1 count to 18 counts.. if all goes brilliantly it would be 20 years so disingenuous of Kromberg

BUT most Espionage cases have got life or multiple life sentences. This indictment points to a very aggressive approach to sentencing - it will be many decades

Eric: he will be detained in the Alexandria prison, he will be in solitary (SAMs - special administrative measures), before and after conviction in Colorado in H Block. I have read prisoners try to talk thru the ventilation system & when he comes out for an hour he will be

Shackled & have no contact with other prisoners.

Eric: 2017 ICC investigation into US war crimes used Wikileaks docs, & anyone assisting the investigation had their assets blocked.

Fitzgerald has run out of time.
Lewis’ turn to cross examine: asks Eric to speak into mic.
Eric: I am being payed at legal aid rate as expert.

Lewis asks him about criminal procedure regarding experts.
Eric say understands he is to be unbiased & objective,
but not that he has to take into account all Kromberg said.

Lewis: you’ve made public statements against the extradition.
Eric: yes, before I was engaged as an expert.
Lewis: no conflict of interest?
Eric: arrived at my position by considering the facts.
Lewis asking why he didn’t include his statements to media.
Eric : anyone can

See that in a 5 min Google search

Lewis asking him about what equips him to comment of prison conditions. Asks him if he has any qualifications that equip him.
Eric: I’ve not been a prison warden, but I’ve taught the subject & have a degree in criminology.
Lewis: have you written any articles on prison conditions