PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia judge increased bail against two men allegedly armed and associated with QAnon, and who prosecutors say drove to Philadelphia from Virginia and parked near the National Constitution Center to protest the ballot counting. At a hearing Friday, the judge held one defense attorney in contempt and pushed for the other to come in despite COVID-19 concerns.
The attorney for Antonio Lamotta told Judge Crystal Bryant-Powell her family was sick and caretakers for her child called her to have him picked up because he was showing COVID-19 symptoms and she wished to do the hearing over Zoom. But the Judge questioned her honesty and ordered her to the courtroom with other attorneys, staff and defendants inside.
“You have a young mother who’s concerned about her child, and mentions the word COVID, I mean in my world, all bets are off,” said Bill Brennan, the defense attorney for the other defendant, Joshua Macias.
During the hearing, the judge held Brennan in contempt, calling him disrespectful and argumentative.
“And interruptive, and I used my hands a lot, pointed my fingers and I am a Philly guy and so I do use my hands a lot but I do argue, but that’s what I am paid for,” Brennan said.
Brennan now has a contempt of court hearing next month.
Macias and Lamotta were at the Capitol the day of the insurrection, but have not been arrested because there’s no evidence they went inside and were part of the destruction.
The prosecutor’s motion to revoke bail was denied but the judge increased bail for both — Lamotta’s by $15,000 and Macias’ by $100,000.
“He was speaking opinions he holds, I don’t agree with them but the last time I checked, the First Amendment covers freedom of assembly and freedom of speech,” Brennan added.
Both men have another hearing next month.