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By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive, Patreon
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SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 20 –  Former ArsTechnica writer Peter Bright has been on trial for attempted enticement to sex of minors. On February 19 a mistrial was declared, the day after the jury sent out a note that it could not reach consensus. The judge pushed for a fast second trial, as early as March 23, but the two sides could not agree.

Now on February 20, the US Attorney's Office has submitted a list of three weeks when its witnesses would NOT be available: "Dear Judge Castel: The Government’s witnesses are available for retrial of the defendant on any date other than the following: March 23 to March 31, 2020, April 27 to May 1, 2020 [and] May 25 to May 29, 2020." Next up: the Federal Defenders' list. More including why and what at second trial on Patreon here.

 Bright took the witness stand on February 13 and called himself an "age player" and a Daddy. He said he prefers full bodied women with a lot of body hair - but denied that he actually likes children.

Inner City Press, which first reported Bright's presentment on the charges on May 23, here, started a Twitter thread about Peter Bright's matter of the fact statements about himself, here. More on Patreon here.

  By the end of February 18, the jury still had the case. They passed out a note, "unable to reach a consensus." Bright's Federal Defender Amy Gallicchio asked for a mistrial, but Judge P. Kevin Castel instead read the jury to so-called Allen charge, to see if that could break the deadlock.

"Legal Definition of Allen charge : a charge to a deadlocked jury to make a further effort to reach a verdict especially by each juror considering the others' opinions with deference — called also dynamite charge."

  Inner City Press remained in the courtroom. An hour went by. Then two. By they, Inner City Press chatted with that appeared to be Bright's parents, with British accents and on their way to Balthazar. They asked if this was normal. Well, none of it was.

  Around 6 pm, the jury passed out a nother note, that they would come in on February 19 and continue deliberating. Judge Castel told the lawyers that he would have another case at that time - another one Inner City Press is covering, as it happens - but that he would direct the lawyers in that civil case to decamp when the Bright jury has a note, or verdict.

 But when a note came out, Bright was led up to the bench and white noise turned on. It was impossible for Inner City Press, in the gallery, to hear what was said. By 2 o'clock, it was mistrial and Judge Castel was frustrated by defense counsel not committing to a March 23 trial date. He said in his day practicing, judges just declared days. A letter is due, when the defense and their expert witness canNOT do it. Watch this site.

 Earlier on February 18, the jurors passed out a note asking questions, including to see able the video of Bright's Q&A with FBI agents. This was played in the courtroom, in whose gallery were only Inner City Press and two older adults.

 But the FBI Q&A concerned girls of 17 years old - who told Bright she was "turning tricks" and a 14 year old who Bright said emailed him photos in panties.

  Bright was asked by the FBI, why did you respond? Bright said it was flattering to be flirted with. But he insisted he prefers or preferred adults *playing* young teenagers to young teenagers themselves. He was also asked by the FBI why he was telling an interlocutor about his foreskin, if he did not intend to show it to the young children she described.  What will the jury think? Inner City Press has asks for notice when a verdict comes, but continues to pass by the courtroom again and again, to check. Watch this site.

  Back on February 13 Judge P. Kevin Castel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York let the jury go to lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, then told the lawyers to return to discuss the jury charged at 1:15 pm. Inner City Press reported, It's coming to endgame, and it has.

  Assistant US Attorney Alexander Li in his closing statement emphasized to the jury the Peter Bright went to Duane Park with condoms to meet what he thought would be children. Li said Bright is not an age-playing vigilante trying to catch the FBI agent but rather a man attempted to have sex with children, with a lesson plan to teach about his foreskin.

   Many Federal Defenders were in the gallery for the closing arguments. Amy Gallicchio had argued, in writing, that "Mr. Bright actively engages in role-playing involving bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, commonly referred to as BDSM. He is particularly interested in ageplay."  But what will the jury think of it? Watch this site.
  Yet more on Patreon here, including on the case's reference to... Justin Bieber.

The case is US v. Bright, 19-cr-521 (Castel). 

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