>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
“Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol. That’s a riot. When you get together, you assemble and you plan to commit a crime, that’s not what happened down on Fourth Street, judge,” Bennett argued.
Footage circulating online clearly showed the suspects’ role in the late-night violence. But instead of addressing that, Bennett shifted the focus toward race and politics.
“The catalyst for the bonds in this case is race and politics, not the law,” he told the judge.
Prosecutor Fires Back
Hamilton County prosecutor Kip Guinan rejected that narrative outright. He reminded the court that this case is about real victims who suffered real violence — not political slogans.
“This case has nothing to do with race. This case has absolutely nothing to do with politics,” Guinan stated. “I’m the most apolitical guy you’ll find. This case is about what these people did, what these victims suffered.”
Judge Appears to Buy the Spin
Despite the prosecutor’s objections, Judge Triggs still cut the bonds to a fraction of their original amounts. For many watching this unfold, it’s hard to ignore what Bennett’s strategy really accomplished.
He invoked January 6 — a trigger point for Democrats and the media — and suggested that his client was a victim of racial bias. Whether Judge Triggs would admit it or not, those arguments clearly made an impact.
Politics Over Justice
What does a Capitol riot in Washington, D.C., have to do with an assault on Fourth Street in Cincinnati? Absolutely nothing. But that didn’t stop the defense from exploiting it — and apparently, it worked.
This kind of political gamesmanship reveals a disturbing reality: defendants can gain sympathy in court not by taking responsibility for their actions, but by invoking the right buzzwords.
Imagine if the situation were reversed. If a white woman accused of assault had told a judge that the George Floyd riots were the “real crimes,” would her bond have been slashed by 99 percent? The answer is obvious — not a chance.
A Dangerous Precedent
Once again, justice seems to bend depending on which political talking points are dropped into the courtroom. Instead of focusing on the facts of the crime, the judge let politics play a role in determining consequences.
That’s not just frustrating — it’s dangerous. If the justice system continues to reward woke posturing instead of accountability, violent offenders will keep getting back on the streets while victims are left behind.
