It’s still being referred to as a child abuse case, but this is about that compound in New Mexico where the AP said a man was training children to commit school shootings. The defendants were in court today in New Mexico.
BREAKING: Judge Sarah Backus allows release of suspects linked to 'extremist Muslim' compound in New Mexico, where they allegedly taught kids to shoot up schools, ahead of trial.
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) August 14, 2018
What?
NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz was in a courtroom in Taos, N.M. most of the day Monday and reports that the suspects will most likely be released from custody on Tuesday and will be released on a signature bond, meaning no one will have to post bail.
Schwartz tweeted about the courtroom proceedings most of the day; we’ll cut that down here to the most important tweets and rearrange the order slightly to keep topics together.
Prosecutors making an opening statement: Prosecutor says suspect Siraj Wahhaj took several firearms classes in rapid succession in 2015. In 2017 he made a trip to Saudi Arabia. When he came back he told his wife he wanted a divorce.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Prosecutors now discussing a rollover crash last year where several children were hospitalized. Siraj Wahhaj was armed and several other guns were found in addition to a bullet proof vest.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Interviews with children allege that rituals were preformed on a small child named Abdul. The child died during one of these rituals.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
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Sheriff says the deceased child was wrapped in cloth and plastic.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says that one of the women believed that Abdul was rightfully her son and stolen from her womb by black magic.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says that the children told them about rituals that were performed on the small 3 year old child Abdul. Says the children reported that Siraj would place his hand on the child's forehead and repeat verses from the Koran. Says the boy died during one of those rituals in Feb.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
The children told investigators they were told Abdul would be resurrected as Jesus and instruct them on what corrupt institutions to attack. Including teachers. The children were allegedly given tactical training on how to clear rooms and taught how to shoot firearms.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Prosecutors say the two men were heavily armed when they were arrested. Children were found carrying ammunition. One may have been armed.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Sheriff says Siraj Wahhaj was armed with an AR15 and a pistol when taken into custody… and a boy was also found with a holster, later telling investigators that he was told to arm up by Siraj and armed himself during the raid.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says boy told him they would participate in tactical training, speed loading, moving and shooting and room clearing. Child says at first training was to defend compound against government.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
The boy then told the FBI they were trained on how to attack "corrupt institutions" including financial institutions. Said they would carry out attacks by telling people about their message and if they didn't accept the message they would kill them or detain them
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says that the children said the corrupt institutions were educational institutions, law enforcement or banks.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Defense now making the case that the rituals were faith healings. Says if these were white people of a christian faith with guns, it would be of no consequence. Judge asks, what about the child who was taken from family and died?
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Prosecutors closing, saying a 13 year old and a 15 year old were talking about being trained in weapons tactics & getting rid of government institutions, a dead child, letters to others saying bring guns, etc. Says looking at the totality, suspects should be kept detained
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Judge says the defendants didn't have a criminal history. Says the state wants her to make a leap based on troubling facts, but she didn't hear a plan that was being made by the state.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
BREAKING: TAOS JUDGE allowing bond and conditions of release in the #NMCompound case- $20,000 + list of conditions. Says state failed to prove the defendants should remain in custody until trial. @NBCNews
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
BREAKING- Defense attorney says suspects will most likely be released from custody tomorrow. Unclear what will happen to Siraj Wahhaj who may have a fugitive warrant out of Georgia. #NMCompound @NBCNews
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
BREAKING: The suspects in the #NMCompound child abuse case will be released on a signature bond. THAT MEANS THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO POST ANY MONEY TO BE RELEASED.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
Crazy, just crazy. Starving 11 kids while training them to commit massacres (according to court docs) merits just a signature bond. https://t.co/egXXIiYRt9
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 14, 2018
“Judge Sarah Backus said although she was concerned by "troubling facts," prosecutors failed to articulate any specific threats to the community.” It was claimed in court docs that they were training starving kids to be school shooters. Really? https://t.co/snPlwRKrsY
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 14, 2018
What in the world? Wow.
— Brandon (@bjtninetynine) August 14, 2018
That's ridiculous!
— sherry (@ddubluve) August 14, 2018
WHAT?!! This is unconscionable!
— ChicagoMT (@ChicagoMT) August 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/prefragoph/status/1029178989007581190
What?
What is going on here?
These suspects have very serious international contacts and I would think would be a definite flight risk. https://t.co/P0WFlXxwyp
— AgainstTrumpDude (@TheAmishDude) August 14, 2018
Related:
GO FIGURE! AP leaves something 'MIGHTY important' out of these tweets about N.M. child abuse bust https://t.co/PGXOnHLIlc
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 8, 2018
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