Media & News Company Joined August 2021. Griffin had vowed to arrive at the courthouse on horseback on Monday. More: Couy Griffin arrives for trial in Washington, D.C. Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17 in person in U.S. Federal Court. Jail guards snapped photos of Griffin in his cell like he was a monkey, Smith told the judge. [5][6], Recall supporters said Griffin had used the office for personal gain. My office will continue its examination of Otero County and the concerns of its residents.. [13], At a county commission meeting on February 11, 2021, Griffin said he was accused of crimes but not convicted. 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 . Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 1,584 Following. County Commission | Otero County, NM Phone: 575-491-7265. "I just want those that have already come to the conclusion that I'm guilty, I just again ask you to put the brakes on a little bit and let the legal process take place," Griffin said. Amy Barela District 2 Commissioner. Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Mr. Griffins removal and bar from holding office again is a step towards obtaining justice and restoring the rule of law, Dodd Law Office, LLC President Christopher Dodd said in a Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington news release. Jeter Downs needs to play to develop. Broke and disillusioned, Couy Griffin keeps fighting for Trump - KUNM Nora Meyers Sackett, a spokesperson for Gov. 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. SANTA FE A New Mexico judge ordered Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin be removed from office, effective immediately, ruling that the attack on the Capitol was an insurrection and that Griffin's participation in it disqualified him under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. "Griffin shall be removed from his position as an Otero County Commissioner effective immediately.". Public Works, Land Use, & Building Department: 411 N 10th St. Rocky Ford, CO 81067 (719) 383-3035. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; What's on my ballot? In August 2020, the Commission unanimously passed a resolution on the same topic. 1101 New York Avenue Alamogordo, NM 88310-6935 Phone: 575-437-7427 Fax: 575-443-2904 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. His lawyers argued that he was selectively prosecuted for his political views. It's a real disgrace towards our democracy," he said during a brief phone interview. Instead, he showed up as a passenger in a pickup truck that had a horse trailer on the back. He went on some tangents prompting Judge Mathew to put his foot down to stay on track. Each speaker was given three minutes to address the commission, and Griffin used his time to discuss two items on the agenda funding for a road and a contract extension for the county attorney. Though Griffin was found guilty on thefederal trespassing charge, he was found not guilty on the disruptive conduct charge. If you have questions about your subscription, please contact Customer Service atAlamogordoDailyNews@Gannett.com or call1-877-301-0013. Ballot measures, Who represents me? McFadden found they did, after forcing the Secret Service to publicly confirm for the first time that Pence was evacuated to an underground Senate loading dock and remained there for four to five hours on the afternoon of Jan. 6. Well what bigger example is there whenever the courts remove a duly elected representative only to make way for the governor to hand select who she wants to represent the people? Griffin said. Thats also when he learned he no longer had access to his county office, and that his county-issued computer had been removed from his office. "[7][11][12], New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas (D) also called for Griffin's resignation in a letter published on January 16, 2021. Recall supporters filed paperwork on March 11, 2021. My intent of going to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 was because I had concerns that our elections had been compromised.". Sept 6 (Reuters) - A New Mexico county commissioner became the first public official to lose their job for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol when a state judge on Tuesday ruled that the Republican violated the U.S. Constitution by engaging in an insurrection. The Commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Griffin's attendance was not confirmed at the meeting, as a federal district court arraignmentwas scheduled for the same time and day. Pence spent Jan. 6 at underground Senate loading dock, Secret Service confirms. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. CREW represented three New Mexico residents who brought the civil lawsuit against Griffin this past March and called for him to be removed. The hearing was held on April 8, 2021. Couy Griffin speaks for three minutes during the public comment period of the Otero County Commission meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Griffin was accused of trespassing onto the west steps of the Capitol Building Jan. 6. Our elected officials and candidatesmust obey the law. He claims the plaintiffs in the case were from liberal counties in the state and were being supported by liberal groups. 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. He turned down an offer to plead to a lesser charge and probation, waived a trial by jury and took his chances with McFadden. 2023 www.alamogordonews.com. In his ruling on the case, Mathew contended that Griffin was not eligible to hold office because of his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots. [3], Griffin also said the recall hearing proceedings were tilted against him as Judge Manuel Arrieta had been appointed by a Democratic governor. All rights reserved. Griffin is one of the few riot defendants who wasnt accused of entering the Capitol building or engaging in any violent or destructive behavior. "I didn't have any intent of being a part of an insurrection or a violent mob. Couy Griffin - Wikipedia Fax: 575-443-2928. Theres no room with the Nationals. New Mexico judge removes county commissioner from office for [15], Supporters of the recall against Griffin filed paperwork with the New Mexico Twelfth Judicial District Court on March 11, 2021, requesting a hearing to determine if their recall petition could be circulated. Public policy. Otero County Commission Vice-Chairman Couy Griffin sponsored two resolutions on the Commission's agenda: one calling for the FBI to investigate the destruction of the Soldier's Monument in Santa Fe, and another labeling New Mexico Gov. Attorneys Janani Iyengar and Kimberly Paschall also cited a video Griffin posted of himself on the inauguration stage next to the Capitol during the riot that forced the evacuation of lawmakers meeting to certify Joe Bidens election victory. Recall supporters did not collect enough signatures by the deadline on September 28, 2021. New Mexico county certifies election results, bowing to court order Daves Hot Chicken will have you begging for more, and maybe for mercy, Josiah Gray finishes April with a flourish as Nats avoid a series sweep, at least 163 Republicans who have embraced Trumps false claims, National Football League began playing Lift Every Voice and Sing, what is referred to the Black national anthem. 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. Amy Barela | Otero County, NM 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 resolution also alleges thegovernor's emergency powerswere meant for short-term issues andthat "the use by state officials of emergency power for extended periods is antidemocratic and is danger to the rights of the people," the resolution reads. Lujan Grisham knows that New Mexicans expect their elected officials to uphold our Constitution and rule of law, Sackett said. Judge Unseats Official Who Trespassed at Capitol on Jan. 6 Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Tweets. Griffin was charged with two misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. [3], Griffin, who founded the organization Cowboys for Trump, was arrested in Washington, D.C., on January 17, 2021, for his alleged role in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. But Griffin also used the final minute of his allotted time to address his removal from office, telling those in attendance that his computer was seized by county officials before he was notified that District Court Judge Francis J. Mathew had ruled Griffin could no longer serve in his elected position or any other for the rest of his life. The Washington Post has reported that at least 163 Republicans who have embraced Trumps false claims are running for statewide positions that would give them authority over the administration of elections. And though hes been removed from his seat on the county commission, Griffin showed that he wont be silenced when it comes to county matters and is more than willing to address decisions made by his former colleagues as a private citizen. The Soldiers' Monument, also known as The Obelisk, was toppled by Indigenous Peoples Dayactivists in October 2020, an event which has already resulted in five arrests. The list includes 69 candidates for governor in 30 states, as well as 55 candidates for the U.S. Senate, 13 candidates for state attorney general and 18 candidates for secretary of state in places where that person is the states top election official. Griffin said the allegations against him were baseless and politically motivated. 0:36. Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter. I only know him by his first name, which his first name is Hiramand hes not a licensed attorney, hes not a BAR-certified attorney, hes a friend of mine who knows the law.. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Griffin is one of at least 10 people charged in the riot who either held public office or ran for a government leadership post in the 2 years before the attack, according to an Associated Press tally. Griffins defense argued there was no evidence that he saw any Do Not Enter sign, was told by police that any area was restricted or knew that Pence was present at the Capitol the same time he was. By allowing this case to move forward, youre going to set a very dangerous precedent, said Griffin. Couy Griffin (@CowboyCouy) / Twitter The left is always crying about how our democracy is under attack. In an interview Thursday, Griffin told Source New Mexico that he learned of the judges ruling during a phone call from the Otero County manager. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Griffin: A friend of mine in Roswell, New Mexico. 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.". 17, 2022. We are actively considering all options under New Mexico law. Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17. U.S. Congress | N.M. Supreme Court intervenes after GOP commission refuses to certify
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