"Pretty soon, it was like a huge, amazing Trump rally," Griffin said. Couy Griffin is a political figure who served as County Commissioner of Otero County, New Mexico from 2019 until she was removed from her position on Tuesday, 6 September 2022. The extra trip to New York City exceeds the scope of the authorized travel, court records state. The Audience's Response Will Give You Goosebumps, 'He's a Stupid Rapper': Gang Member Charged with Murder After Police Hear His Latest Song, 'Ouch': 11 House Democrats Reportedly Snubbed Biden for a Concert, 'Pure Theater': Greta Thunberg 'Detained' at Protest, But Look What Happens After Police Let Her Down, Elderly Man Pulls Out Six-Shooter and Fires Back After Being Shot in Leg by Two Alleged Armed Robbers, Read the Entire Explosive $50 Million Gen. Flynn Lawsuit Against the US Government, Op-Ed: The Pro-Life Movement Has a Golden Opportunity, But Only if We Work Together. Griffin deniedthe allegations claiming they were"frivolous and devoid of merit," court records state. Bill) Richardson appointed judge in Manuel Arrieta," Griffin said in an email April 7. At the same time, Griffins conviction was for misdemeanor trespassing, for which he was sentenced to 14 days and a $3,000 fine. Griffin was previously convicted in federal court of a misdemeanor for entering restricted U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, without going inside the building. Magliocca said the New Mexico decision could reverberate, not just for people like Mastriano, but if Democrats retain control of Congress and want to challenge the seating of certain Republicans tied to Jan. 6. Cowboys for Trump also had a GoFundMe account set up in January 2020 to raise money for legal expenses. Griffin's motion for dismissal was heard in theApril 8 recall hearing and denied. Federal judge reverses detention order for N.M. county commissioner facing trial in Jan. 6 riot. The regular Otero County Commission meeting that had begun at 9 a.m. and was still underway into the afternoon had recessed to allow him to attend the hearing. The motion said Couy Griffin "has publicly. The Otero County commissioner is facing charges for his alleged role in the January insurrection at the. The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. No we could have a 2nd Amendment rally on those same steps that we had that rally yesterday. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'millionsofcelebs_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-millionsofcelebs_com-medrectangle-4-0');There hasnt been further news about his execution. Besides being Mexico County Commissioner, he is also the founder of the group namedCowboys for Trump. The Otero County Clerk's Office, although not a participant in the recall proceedings, is interested to ensure that, if a recall is triggered, it is done in an orderly and clear fashion "so the voters are clear on the process," Ivey-Soto said. All Rights Reserved. A jury will consider this week whether the support group Cowboys for Trump and cofounder Couy Griffin violated state election law by failing to register as a political organization without filing related public financial disclosures. Griffin was present at the hearing for for about 45 minutesbefore he excused himself and returned to the Otero County Commission meeting. Do any of her businesses contract with the county? Pence spent Jan. 6 at underground Senate loading dock, Secret Service confirms, 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. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Judge removes Otero County's Couy Griffin for Jan. 6 role : NPR There is an uncomfortable irony when, in the aftermath of that attack, we purport to defend democracy by using the judicial process to deprive voters of their choice of leader. "I would rather these allegation brought forward be heard from a group of peers rather than a (former Gov. Prior arrests for drunk driving and more on the Backwoods Tees case. Kourtnie Griffin, an Iraqi war veteran, understands passions for God and country and believes her ex-husband has a right to express his views, her lawyers said. Otero County GOP Chairman Amy Smith Barela (ahhhh. Cowboys for Trump co-founder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico . Here you have Couy Griffin as Cowboys For Trump not only hiding assets from his ex-wife and son. They want to talk about playing a Black national anthem before football games? Couy Griffin, who was charged for breaching the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, is disappointed the former president didn't follow through on his promise to jail Hillary Clinton. I guess one needs to ask whats in this for the Chairman of Otero County GOP? He is a pastor, a Republican and the son of a former commissioner in Catron County, New Mexico. Griffin ignores the fact that his position as an elected official puts him in a different and nonprotected category from other rioters, McFadden said. 6.). When two thugs tried to attack an elderly man, he pulled out his own weapon and fired back, scaring them away. FILE - In this March 12, 2019, file photo, Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Coy Griffin denounces gun control and pro-abortion rights bills in the New Mexico State Legislature at a protest outside the Statehouse in Santa Fe, N.M. The dismissed charge against Griffin carried a potential punishment of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. With Struck on the stand, prosecutors played one video in which Griffin recounted members of the pro-Trump mob spilling over barriers outside the Capitol. He had a son with her, who currently lives with her. The hearing was only to establish probable cause, in other words to determine if there wasevidence of truth to the charges alleged. Couy Griffin has been barred from in-person visits with his son due to social media posts that have produced threats and for refusing to comply with the requirements of the COVID-19 mask. Griffin has five calendar days to file an appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court. (Griffin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McFadden, a former Virginia police officer and Justice Department criminal division official under the George W. Bush and Trump administrations, earlier admonished prosecutors for a sloppy mistake last year in which they claimed for months in court filings that vice president-elect Kamala D. Harris was also present on Capitol grounds during the attack. But U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruled late last week that the defense had a bedrock right to challenge the governments evidence establishing that Griffin violated restricted grounds. How about that? Griffin said in the video. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. "We are disappointed that Commissioner Griffin was not able to be here for the entire process. (Griffin is the founder of a group called Cowboys for Trump, which has been promoted by the former president. Note: This photo has been removed from the White House Flickr page. A Luna County man was arrested Monday for allegedly beating his older brother to death while he slept at their home outside of Deming. Begging for donations for the trip, for legal fees, for tires, new wipers, food, etc. 1 dead, 1 hospitalized after shooting on East Central. It is unclear when McFadden will hand down his verdict. Trump cowboy seeks 2nd act in politics after U.S. Capitol breach Griffin has not been criminally charged in reference to the September 2019 travel voucher. Griffin invoked free speech protections in declining to register and disclose the donors to Cowboys for Trump and expressed concern that financial contributors might be harassed. Wearing his signature black cowboy hat, "Cowboys for Trump" founder Couy Griffin arrived Monday at a federal courthouse just blocks from the Capitol to stand trial on charges stemming from his . Lets not forget that free food from ranchers too. Griffin said in a text message that he felt blessed to be judged by a jury of peers in his home community and has never felt as vindicated.. You also agree to our, The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. In my next musing I will explore Couys court records more thoroughly. Griffinrequested for the case to be dismissed and if it was not dismissed then he filed a demand for a jury trial in the case. While the decision of a state court isnt binding elsewhere, New York Universitys Daniel Hemel noted, it could embolden similar efforts to disqualify people from office with more direct ties to the insurrection up to and including Trump. As per the sources, He was married to him for a long time and got divorced in 2019. 'Cowboys for Trump' Co-Founder Declared Not Guilty in Court, Says He's Who is Couy Griffin? All rights reserved. How Republicans became the party of Trumps election lie after Jan. 6, It is wild to see that he was in a loading dock in an underground parking garage beneath the Capitol complex, Karl said during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. There was no place to sit, no desk, no chairs, nothing.. Some have sought to wield that seldom-invoked provision against members of Congress, without success, and even floated using it against Trump. I mean my goodness why on earth would you leave town with bald tires and faulty windshield wipers? The judge said Griffins many defenses were not credible, and nor was his summary of his role on Jan. Defense attorney Jonathan Miller said Griffin was just a guy who rides a horse and tried to do the right thing by registering Cowboys for Trump as a for-profit corporation and notifying donors that they cannot deduct donations from taxes. He shouldnt be punished for showing his pride in his country, Miller said. Updated: March 23, 2022 - 2:43 PM Published: January 6, 2022 - 1:40 PM ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Couy Griffin, Cowboys for Trump founder and Otero County commissioner, was arrested last year for his. As a strategic matter, Im skeptical that disqualification under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is the best way or even a productive way to fight back against anti-democratic forces across the country, Hemel said. All I did was stand on the steps of the Capitol and pray with people, thats it.. A Donald Trump supporter, Griffin founded Cowboys for Trump and listed his sister Kay Griffin as its organizer. Kourtnie served in the US military and is a war Veteran. The hearing continued for about an hour after Griffin exited the hearing. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. U.S. Donald Trump Qanon Las vegas Capitol Riots. Lawsuit filed to remove Couy Griffin from office - CREW | Citizens for I will not be intimidated, I will not be threatened, and I sure as Hell wont back down!! Couy is the professional Otero County Commissioner who. We The People Have Found Couy Griffin Not Guilty! Griffin also met with then-President Donald Trump on Sept. 12, 2019. Couy Griffin Wife- Is He Married? New evidence was released in the case against Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin. Prior to Griffin's leaving the hearing, Arrieta told him that the Otero County Commission would have a quorum present without Griffin and that this hearing may be more important at this time. Still waiting on jury deliberations. Griffins actions have been selfish and place the minor child at risk, in addition to his ex-wifes unborn child, Rosner said. Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin is being investigated by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office on grounds he violated the Campaign Reporting Act and the. Griffin chose to drive his own personal diesel-fueled pickup truck with large C4T stickers on the drivers and passenger side doors, court records state. Ivey-Soto requested that the stamp on the facepage of the petition not be affixed until the sixth day following the April 8 hearing unless Griffin files the appeal. Couy Griffin Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Dating Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Prosecutors had argued that revealing Pences exact whereabouts could endanger future heads of state and other Secret Service protectees at the Capitol, and that agency would not disclose any details for national security reasons. They have a Son Together was born in 2014. Their son was born in 2014. . Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in more than a dozen counties as the typically warm state digs out from rare snowstorms. Otero Commissioners to discuss calls for resignation of Couy Griffin on Thursday, banishment from the Mescalero Apache Reservation, approximately $3,500 from a restricted donor, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Plenty of history very bad history was made on Jan. 6, 2021. Copyright 2023 The Western Journal. In July 2020, a check from a bank account for Cowboys for Trump was sent to Griffins ex-wife for child support. When asked whether he and Griffin had decided it would be "inappropriate" to enter the Capitol building, Struck replied, "I don't think we discussed that.". In the cross-examination of Struck, a defense lawyer for Griffin used his questioning to underscore that the "Cowboys for Trump" co-founder was not violent on January 6 and did not enter the Capitol building itself. As per edailybuzz, Couy Griffin is married to his wife, Kourtnie A Gates. Couy Griffin found guilty of illegally entering Capitol - New York Post They include GOP gubernatorial nominees Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania and Dan Cox in Maryland, who both organized buses for the Stop the Steal rally. Deputies arrest man in attempted robbery that led to Bernalillo County deputies arrested a man Bernalillo County deputies arrested a man in an armed robbery-turned-gunfight that left his alleged accomplice dead last year in Southwest Albuquerque. Last year, he became the first elected official to be banished from elected office in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol building, which disrupted Congress as it was trying to certify President Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. Susana Martinez. You are embarrassing yourself. Kourtnie Griffin, an Iraqi war veteran, understands "passions for God and country" and believes her ex-husband has a right to express his views, her lawyers said. Trump cowboy found not guilty of campaign finance charge Congress used the 14th Amendment to disqualify Socialist Rep. Victor Berger in 1919, but not the insurrection provision specifically, and this was not a court decision. SANTA FE, N.M., Otero County, New Mexico Commissioner Couy Griffin must be removed from office and disqualified from holding future public office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution based on his participation in the January 6, 2021 insurrection, according to a lawsuit filed today by a group of New Mexico residents. So, there are details about his age and birthday at the moment. For the first time since the War of 1812, the U.S. Capitol was breached. Couy Griffin Wife, Children Griffin is currently single, he was previously married to his girlfriend Kourtnie A Gates, but they were divorced in 2019. No Maam, Griffin said in a video recorded Jan. 7 cited in government filings. Biden enlists potential rivals as advisers ahead of 2024, Their toddler took a nap in an Airbnb and fentanyl killed her, removed Otero County commissioner Couy Griffin, to disqualify Socialist Rep. Victor Berger in 1919, sought to disqualify several members of Congress. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico. Jurors deliberated for more than nine hours before delivering the verdict. They claimed Griffin was a politician in his own right who clearly advocated for Trump while the president was a candidate for re-election and that Griffin also promoted political positions on border enforcement, gun rights and more. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the worlds stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. Arrieta was assigned to the recall case after all of the 12th Judicial District judges recused themselves. Is the only good Democrat a dead Democrat? Couy Griffin Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Wife, Nationality, Net Worth But legal experts say the ruling in New Mexico is significant nonetheless especially if it holds up. Now its made even more history: Someone found to have engaged in insurrection that day has been disqualified from office, for what appears to be the first time in 150 years. His trial comes just weeks after a jury in Washington, DC, found Guy Reffitt guilty on five charges, including possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds. But his defenses claim that prosecutors must prove that Griffin knew that Pence was present at the Capitol or planned to return also poses ramifications for hundreds of others charged with a similar misdemeanor count. Couy's ex-wife, Kourtnie, is a 34 years old Iraqi war veteran who was born in the year 1986. However, New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colon said the funds, donated to Griffin by G.B. Trump-appointed judge rejects US Capitol rioter's claim he was Griffin was convicted in federal court of a misdemeanor for entering restricted U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 without going inside the building. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Hes going to run, and weve got to know whether hes allowed to run or not, Magliocca said. Griffin's attorney also accused state campaign finance regulators of bias and singling out Cowboys for Trump for enforcement. Oliver, the Alamogordo Chamber of commerce Executive Director, were the basis of an investigation. Griffin elected to have a bench trial, meaning a Trump-appointed judge rather than a jury of 12 will review the evidence and decide his fate. Once the recall is allowed to begin, the recall petition is taken to Otero County District 2 voters and if 1,661 verified signatures are gathered, then a recall election takes place. Cowboys for Trump co-founder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico. The C4T GoFundMe page states that all monies given will be a direct donation to founder Couy Griffin and will be used as Couy sees fit to move the organization forward, according to records. What the hell are the donations for exactly? . Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin proposes fully reopening - KRQE N.M. Attorney General investigating Cowboys for Trump's Couy Griffin Supporters of President Donald Trump broke into the building, forcing the evacuation of Congress and Pence as they met to certify the electoral college results. But, he hasnt revealed the identity of his son. Greta Thunberg gets detained in Sweden in her typical theatrical flare carried by two female police officers. He shouldn't be punished for showing his pride in his country, Miller said. If this ruling stands up on appeal, it sets a significant precedent for the next election cycle, said Gerard Magliocca, a constitutional scholar at Indiana University who has studied Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. After the fall of Roe, the pro-life movement is facing a battle of unprecedented complexity and staggering scope. For years, Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin has been Donald Trump's most flamboyant supporter in New Mexico, creating spectacles and controversy in equal measure. "To mount a meaningful defense Griffin must be allowed to test the veracity of the Government's contention that Vice President Pence was on the Capitol grounds during the relevant period," McFadden ruled. Jury weighs whether Cowboys for Trump flouted campaign law "He had as much right to due process as we do and the judge very much made it clear and afforded him that right. Representatives from the Otero County Clerk's Office were at the hearing, including attorney Daniel Ivey-Soto who was appearing on behalf of the County Clerk' Office. But she did not take her minor child to war with her as Couy Griffin is doing by taking their son to President Donald Trump campaign events during a pandemic, the attorneys said. The decision interrupts a string of adverse legal decisions for Griffin, who remains barred from elected office under a judge's decision upheld by the New Mexico Supreme Court in February. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP), Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. Conlee set up the original Cowboys for Trump GoFundMe page, court records show. Ahead of the trial, McFadden rejected Griffin's claim that he was politically targeted. "Several of the defendant's statements in the recording of the meeting constitute either direct admissions that he was illegally present in a restricted area or evidence of the defendant's state of mind during and after January 6, 2021," prosecutors said. Couy Griffin has been reported as one of the men involved in the riots at the U.S. Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Nicole Maxwell / Alamogordo Daily News The judge in the case, District Judge Francis J. Mathew, was unsparing in ruling that Griffin is disqualified from office. Since early 2020, Griffin has resisted pressure to register the group as a political committee, including filing an unsuccessful petition with the 10th District Court of Appeals. For that official to attack a private citizen who is upset that the County Commissioner for his district is engaging in Fraud is troubling to say the least. Guilty: 'Cowboys for Trump Founder Couy Griffin Convicted in - Insider You havent shown he [Pence] ever left the restricted area, the judge told Griffins defense attorney, Nicholas D. Smith. Why on earth would someone put their reputation on the line for a person who is being exposed as a fraud and financial scammer? Olivers office initially prevailed in a June 2020 arbitration decision that ordered Cowboys for Trump to register as a political committee, file expenditure and contribution reports and pay a fine of $7,800. As perABQ Journal, he was married toKourtnie. Prosecutors entered into evidence Monday videos recording Griffins activities in Washington and his statements explaining his conduct before and after, including several taken by a witness who was granted immunity, a videographer and friend who traveled with Griffin to Washington. and signed a child-support check to his ex-wife from his . Cowboys for Trump Founder Offered Plea Deal in Capitol Riot Case - Newsweek Mike Pence's whereabouts on Jan. 6 confirmed during trial of Couy Griffin has demonstrably taken official acts for personal financial interest, submitted a false public voucher and, on one known occasion, has used funds from a C4T bank account to pay for personal expenses, including his child support obligations, according to court filings. (Berger was later seated after his espionage conviction was overturned.). After all, these family businesses are struggling and Couy has his hand out for discounts or free. Dozens of Democrat elected officials decided to pass on president Joe Biden's speech in Maryland, opting instead to attend a tribute concert. Police say a man shot himself and unintentionally killed a woman when the bullet passed through his head and struck her last month at Middle school students killer to remain in custody until Juan Saucedo Jr., 14, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and was sentenced to remain in custody until age 21 in the 2021 shooting Albuquerque Police data: Use-of-force policies followed 95% of the Albuquerque superintendent of police reform hails Albuquerque superintendent of police reform hails results as "success" in Court Approved Settlement Agreement compliance. Griffin is also under investigation by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office for potential criminal charges relating to the September 2019 travel voucher issue.