"This is a man who lived a very solitary life and got involved in a lot of online conspiracy theory and engagement farming, and given his mental health condition, it led him to sort of these intractable beliefs which he's expressed and fully believes in," Lipson told reporters after the hearing. "His condition, combined with the sort of just kind of the terrible stuff that's out there, just seeking engagement with people led him down this horrible path, and this is where we wound up."
Prior to the sentencing, Lipson again argued for a new trial, saying the ransom enhancement of the kidnapping charge that carried the mandatory life sentence was brought as part of a 'vindictive prosecution' after he asked a judge to dismiss three charges, including attempted murder, which carried a mandatory sentence of life with the possibility of parole.
The defense successfully argued DePape was facing double jeopardy - or being tried twice for the same crimes - in state court after being convicted in federal court of similar crimes.
Lipson argued that the timing of the kidnapping charge, after the trial had already begun, showed prosecutors' vindictiveness. The defense filed its motion to have three charges dismissed on a Friday, and prosecutors filed the kidnapping charge with the harsher mandatory sentence the following Monday.
#mental-health #criminal-justice #schizotypal-personality-disorder #conspiracy-theories #prosecution-procedures
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