So, I was at the sentencing hearing for Alissa Azar in Clackamas County today and let me tell you, Judge Rysselberghe really has a bug up his ass about Azar.

The Post Millennial crew and their cadre of shitheads were there as well, and Rysselberghe let them set up cameras filming the GALLERY for some reason. I heard one of the TPM editors asking a sheriff's deputy to force folks in the gallery to take off head scarves, masks, and sunglasses —a request to which he responded "naw."

Apparently there was some kind of "altercation" outside the courtroom and a young woman was arrested. This is likely a garbage arrest because of course it was.

Here are my notes from within the courtroom. I apologize for their hastiness.

Sentencing of Alissa Azar SEP-09-2024

Not too many overtly visible far right folks, but I am seated with the ones that are here.

The shithead in front of me is wearing a black, antitrans shirt that says “Woman: Noun” and then lists the definition.

Heavy sheriff presence. 3 deputies for a relatively full room.

Sherrif is buddy buddy with the assholes on this side of the courtroom.

Chelly Boufferache is here.

PROSECUTION:
Prosecutor asks for consolidation of charges re: disorderly conduct.

Prosecutor brings up basically a restorative justice thing Alissa was ordered to do and then says she was involved in an incident later, (demonstrating her supposed inurement to rehabilitation).

She has no priors, 6I on the sentencing guidelines chart [https://www.oregon.gov/cjc/resources/documents/guidelinesgrid.pdf]

Up to 6 months potential time. Court *can* go above the ⅓ rule but court finds that there is no jail space at the moment. Nevertheless, Prosecutor argues she should HAVE 30 DAYS JAIL TIME.

Prosecutor recommends sticking with 30 days jail time and then special probationary conditions. This is the *maximum* punishment she could receive under current guidelines.

Prosecutor mentions Sidney Abernathy (PO present now in the room) for a reason that I missed.

Prosecutor says Alissa would still be allowed to protest unless LE says"gathering unlawful” (LOL)

DEFENSE
Defense says adjust the conviction for Class C riot down to class A misdemeanor due to substantial palliative circumstances and implores the court for NO jail time. Alt: community services and Downward departure to 18 months probationary sentence. Mentions Azar being a first time offender (this *should* have a HUGE ameliorative impact on sentencing)

Says Class C Riot is unduly harsh per average OR sentences for class C riot (across all counties) and in almost all instances Class C Riot has been given downward dispositional departure and normal conditions have been to impose some community service hours/fines and probationary time. Argues that there is no reason to elevate Azar's punishments to the maximum allowable jail time AND if jail is at capacity she should not go inside.

Argues that Azars testimony illustrates that she is in fact a journalist and thus undeserving of the maximum allowable time.

Says prosecutor's assertion that Azar was a “leader” is misinformation and that the organizers of the event were the Proud Boys and Daniel Tooze. Half the jury says they believed she was trying to get her property back when she ran to the pavilion, NOT “leading a charge.”

Says prosecutor mischaracterized Azar’s words when she had said “I would do it again” as declaration of intent to do crime, when really it is about her intent to continue reporting on protests and political events.

Says it's not uncommon for journalists to get arrested because LEO can't tell them from protestors (oh, yes they can). Says charges in those instances are typically dismissed before reaching court.

Notes the racial disparity between POC and white prisoners/incarcerated in Oregon, citing as an example how Black people are about 2% of OR population but about 9.5% of Oregon's incarcerated population. This is relevant because Azar is a POC immigrant.

Points out that her deployment of mace was justified by half the jury at trial.

Points out that at-home monitoring and examination of her electronic devices violates her 1st amendment rights and her rights as a journalist, and will have a huge impact on her career.

Defense calls the first witness: McCorkle.

He met Azar at several protests known since 2020.

He reads a statement of support of Azar, including mentioning her diligence for fact checking. Says he was also assaulted by Proud Boys on the day in question. Says he was also attacked by armed Proud Boys and is grateful for her having been there. He says he is a veteran and not a member of RCA. MENTIONS OREGON'S HISTORICAL EUGENICS PROGRAM, WHICH STERILIZED A NATIVE RELATIVE OF HIS AGAINST HER WILL, AS ONE HIS REASONS TO APPEAR THAT DAY, aince he knows the Proud Boys and their affiliates are white supremacists, and that is why he became an activist in the first place. He says he admires Alissa’s courage for acting while he just “cowardly” stood by.

PROSECUTOR QUESTIONS MCCORKLE

Says “You wouldn't have been at Clackamas park if not for Alissa?”

MC: “Yes, I trusted her journalism.”

P: “So You showed up because of her?”

MC: “Yes, I swore to that, that's what I said.”

[Prosecution rests]

DEFENSE:

Azar stands makes a statement saying she has taken steps back since this incident. She discusses the threats she has faced and the hardship of pretrial release.

JUDGE SAYS

Jury was unanimous about the Riot conviction at trial.
Mentions they were deadlocked on count 3 (unlawful use ESG).

Judge asserts Azar provoked the riot with her social media posts (disregarding Defense’s earlier assertion and discrediting her as a journalist)

Judge says “like the Proud Boys, she demonstrated no empathy for those harmed by the riot.” (I wonder why the HIGHLY VISIBLE and prominent local republican party politician AND organizer of the PB’s counterprotest, Daniel Tooze, wasn't charged at all, then?)

Judge denies reduction of count 1 Riot. Does not elaborate.

Judge then sentences Azar for count 1 to 36 months supervised probation. (This is obviously on top of her already hugely long pretrial release restrictions)

Must serve 14 days jail, eligible for good time

Must comply with special conditions (not sure what these will be in their entirety yet)

Must comply with GPS monitoring if asked. (This would be financially ruinous over 36 months. GPS monitoring is typically over $200/month for the convicted. For 36 months it'd be *at least* $7600)

Cannot own almost any weapons, right down to slingshots and gloves, neither any sorts of protective gear. No firearms.

Defense asks if court will consider departure. Judge says, curtly, “considered; denied.”

Azar is marched out in handcuffs as most of the room stands and shouts support for her.