""Individuals who Goonan seeks to inspire by his actions - those who he seeks to have consider him a political prisoner and a 'martyr' - must know that following in his footsteps will lead to a lengthy term of imprisonment," U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikhil Bhagat wrote in the Sept. 16 filing. The prosecution also argued that Goonan was not convicted for expressing or holding political beliefs, but for committing violence in furtherance of those beliefs."
"Goonan's defense, which asked the judge for a reduced sentence of eight years, argued that their client was suffering from untreated bipolar disorder, which motivated Goonan's actions and explained many of their writings in jail. They included an opinion from a psychiatrist stating that Goonan's "risk for future violence is very low when not suffering from symptoms of his psychiatric disorder.""
Prosecutors urged a lengthy prison term for Goonan, asserting he sought to inspire others to see him as a political prisoner or "martyr" and emphasizing that his conviction arose from violent acts tied to his beliefs. Prosecutors asked the court to weigh rising "endemic political violence" in sentencing and cited recent assassinations. Defense attorneys requested an eight-year reduced sentence, argued untreated bipolar disorder motivated the conduct, and presented a psychiatrist's opinion that risk of future violence is low when not symptomatic. Defense highlighted a prior nonviolent life, community organizing work, and letters of solidarity from activists and incarcerated individuals.
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