He is among only three riot defendants who have asked for a bench trial, in which judges decide a case without a jury. Address 1101 New York Avenue Alamogordo, NM 88310 Local news, weather, sports, events, restaurants and more, Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin guilty in first Jan. 6 misdemeanor trial, QAnon Shaman stays in jail as judge slams his arguments: So frivolous as to insult the Courts intelligence, He kicked back in Pelosis office on Jan. 6. Griffin was arrested when he returned to Washington on Jan. 17, 2021, after saying during an Otero County Commission meeting that he planned to return for Bidens inauguration with his .357 Henry Big Boy rifle and single action revolver. By allowing this case to move forward, youre going to set a very dangerous precedent, said Griffin. Social Services Annex: 215 Raton Ave. La Junta, CO 81050. It would be one thing if he were arrested for assaulting someone, for planning to enter the building, for threatening members of Congress inside. "Public health orders carry the full weight of law in every New Mexico county," Sackett said. This story has been shared 182,853 times. Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin gestures before getting into a car after the first day of his trial in federal court in Washington on March 21. [3] Our elected officials and candidatesmust obey the law. In his ruling on the case, Mathew contended that Griffin was not. It's one thing to be charged, it's another thing to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. US District Judge Trevor McFadden heard one day of testimony without a jury on Monday before handing down a verdict in the misdemeanor case against Otero County CommissionerCouy Griffin, a 48-year-old former rodeo rider who helped found a group called Cowboys for Trump. Were your resource. Lujan Grisham knows that New Mexicans expect their elected officials to uphold our Constitution and rule of law, Sackett said. Couy Griffin's Tweets. If you have questions about your subscription, please contact Customer Service at AlamogordoDailyNews@Gannett.com or call1-877-301-0013. Phone: 575-491-7265. The courts ruling today is a historic moment for our country. [10] Griffin said he would not resign. He has supported a $50,000 taxpayer-funded audit of the 2020 election results in the small conservative county, whose 24,000 votes Trump carried by 25 percentage points. Griffin could not only lose his seat on the commission but could also be barred from ever running for office again. Cowboys for Trump founder returns to Otero County Commission He covers politics and criminal justice and has reported on New Mexico for the Las Vegas Optic, Santa Fe Reporter, Los Angeles Times and others. Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17. Pence remained in the loading dock location for four to five hours, until the joint session of Congress resumed on the night of Jan. 6, Hawa testified. McFadden rejected that contention before trial, finding that Griffins alleged leadership role, more blatant conduct and position as an elected official might rationally merit different handling by prosecutors. Earlier this year in New Mexico, Otero County commissioners at first declined to certify the county's primary election, citing baseless claims about the security of voting machines. Griffin said he plans to appeal the ruling and that during the appeals process, he wont be representing himself. He also expressed frustration that a judge, and not Otero County voters, had the final say. New Mexico judge removes county commissioner from office for County Commission | Otero County, NM Griffin said the allegations against him were baseless and politically motivated. That is our County Commissioners as well as County Sheriffs. After a tense back-and-forth about who drafted the pleadings, Judge Francis Mathew denied the motion. The state supreme court then stepped in, ordering the county to certify. He says the ruling sends a message to other public officials across the country who have been undermining the results of the 2020 election, as well as other democratic norms. Bloomberg CityLab on Instagram: "Couy Griffin marched to the steps of Griffin was released on his own recognizance. Griffin says he was not violent while at the Capitol that day and wasn't aware that he was trespassing at the time. An unusual series of items is scheduled for discussion at the March 11 Otero County Commission.. Otero County Commission Vice-Chairman Couy Griffin sponsored two resolutions on the Commission's . In the first trial of a felony defendant earlier this month, a jury deliberated barely two hours before finding Guy Reffitt guilty on all five counts, convicting the recruiter for a self-styled Texas militia movement of felony charges including obstruction of an official proceeding, witness tampering and interfering with police in a riot. Couy Griffin, a county commissioner in Otero County, New Mexico, speaks on June 17 outside federal court in Washington, D.C., where he was convicted of entering a restricted area during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Instead, he will be hiring some great legal minds.. This article was published more than1 year ago. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. In his ruling on the case, Mathew contended that Griffin was not eligible to . He turned down an offer to plead to a lesser charge and probation, waived a trial by jury and took his chances with McFadden. "Griffin shall be removed from his position as an Otero County Commissioner effective immediately.". "I didn't have any intent of being a part of an insurrection or a violent mob. Judge Mathew ordered that effective immediately, Griffin is "barred for life" from serving as a senator, congressman, elector or from holding any civil or military office federally or in any state. State District Court Judge Francis Mathew wrote in his decision that Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin, founder of a group called "Cowboys for Trump," violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution when he took part in the riot that left four people dead and 100 police officers injured, disqualifying him from holding local, state or federal office. Instead, he showed up as a passenger in a pickup truck that had a horse trailer on the back. Follow Source New Mexico on Facebook and Twitter. Theres no room with the Nationals. Thats the very essence of democracy, and this ruling affirms it., Jimenez added that Common Cause hoped the ruling would set a precedent for other elected officials who "disregard their oath of office.". My office will continue its examination of Otero County and the concerns of its residents.. Attempts by the Alamogordo Daily News to contact Griffin about the ruling were unsuccessful. Home | Otero County In considering closing arguments submitted by Griffin in the case asking Mathew to consider the will of District 2 constituents, the judge said: "The irony of Mr. Griffin's argument that this Court should refrain from applying the law and consider the will of the people in District 2 of Otero County who retained him as a county commissioner against a recall effort as he attempts to defend his participation in an insurrection by a mob whose goal, by his own admission, was to set aside the results of a free, fair and lawful election by a majority of the people of the entire country (the will of the people) has not escaped this court.". In a court filing, prosecutors called Griffin an inflammatory provocateur and fabulist who engages in racist invective and propounds baseless conspiracy theories, including that Communist China stole the 2020 Presidential Election.. The decision to represent himself during the bench trial was made, Griffin said, because he felt hed provided the judge with strong evidence to have the case dismissed, and he never thought the case would go to trial. Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. 2023 www.alamogordonews.com. In September 2022, it was employed by a judge in New Mexico, who removed Couy Griffin, a county commissioner in Otero County, from office for his participation in the January 6 insurrection. Hes on the [inauguration] stage, while police worked to restore order for hours. Griffin was arrested on Jan. 8, 2021and charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building relating to his participation in theCapitol riot. Couy Griffin guilty of misdemeanor trespassing on restricted Capitol Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. A news release regarding the request for resignation alleged Griffin "from his first day as an Otero County Commissioner has devoted himself to promoting his Cowboys for Trump organization rather than being a county commissionerwho serves the citizens of Otero County who elected him.". The NAACP, Common Cause and the National Council of Jewish Women submitted amicus briefs stating their support for Griffin's removal as an Otero County Commissioner. Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. Media & News Company Joined August 2021. At the hearing, both recall supporters and Griffin were able to present evidence and witnesses. The NAACP, Common Cause and the National Council of Jewish Women submitted amicus briefs stating their support for Griffin's removal as an Otero County Commissioner. The judge also said it would be preposterous to require the Secret Service, before it could enforce a given security perimeter, to announce in advance that a person under its protection was present. They are not above it. This lawsuit is about removing a duly elected county commissioner from office through the civil court. While reading his verdict, he said Griffin was not on the steps. Ballot measures, Who represents me? Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm. 145 likes, 4 comments - Bloomberg CityLab (@citylab) on Instagram: "Couy Griffin marched to the steps of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in an attempt to stop the . Replies. [1] Its county seat is Alamogordo. An effort to recall Couy Griffin (R) from his position as the District 2 representative on the Otero County Commission in New Mexico did not go to a vote in 2021. District Court Judge Manuel Arrieta ruled in favor of the recall effort. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Behind US recruitment woes, Joes risky alternative strategy and other commentary, Pence testifies for 7 hours before Jan. 6 grand jury after Trumps bid to block him fails, Former Rep. Liz Cheney to publish book warning of Trump threat, Capitol rioter who crushed officer with shield gets 7 years. Amy Barela District 2 Commissioner. Couy Griffin, whose violent rhetoric Trump promoted, is arrested - The Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter. Commissioners | Otero County DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. Couy Griffin speaks for three minutes during the public comment period of the Otero County Commission meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. The resolution on the table calls the COVID-19 public health orders unconstitutional on series of grounds including that itinfringes on New Mexicans' First Amendment right to free exercise of religion and to peaceably assemble. But the case against Griffin is unlike most Jan. 6 cases and may not be a bellwether for defendants who are charged with storming the Capitol. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Ryan Lowery is an award-winning independent journalist based in Albuquerque. We are actively considering all options under New Mexico law. Griffin, however, attended the meeting and even spoke during the public comment session. 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