"We're in a spot where not only does the government seize assets but the seizing of those assets is extremely questionable and it's foreclosing the defendant from mounting a defense, Nicole Boeckmann, Hu's attorney. I think the court can intervene and should intervene under these circumstances Cogan said he wasn't willing to lean on the federal prosecutors to free up some assets, but wanted the parties to find a solution where the defense stays on."
"If we are going to try this case again, I would like there to be a way to keep the counsel who are so familiar with it and so efficient at it in place, Cogan said. Sun and Hu's trial lasted for over a month and half before Cogan declared a mistrial when jurors could not agree on a verdict."
Linda Sun and her husband Chris Hu face a potential retrial on charges of acting as unregistered agents of China's government. Defense counsel asked a federal judge to intervene so frozen assets can be released to pay for legal representation, warning they will withdraw without relief. Counsel argued the government's asset seizures are questionable and impede the defendants' ability to mount a defense. U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan declined to press prosecutors but urged the parties to find a way to keep existing counsel. A mistrial was declared after jurors hung, and a tentative retrial date was set for Jan. 18, 2027. Defense sought a Monsanto hearing over the summer to challenge the asset freezes.
Read at www.amny.com
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