Attorneys representing Cole Allen, the individual charged in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, have requested the court to dismiss their earlier motion aimed at removing him from suicide watch. This request came after they learned that the restrictions on him had already been lifted.
In their filing, Allen’s lawyers mentioned that he was no longer evaluated as suicidal at the D.C. jail, making their previous motion irrelevant and leading them to ask for the cancellation of the scheduled hearing on May 4.
Although the lawyers have made this request, the hearing is still set to take place until the judge makes a decision.
When someone is on suicide watch, they are kept in a “secure cell” around the clock.
Prior to the latest updates, Allen’s lawyers argued that the conditions imposed on him violated his rights. They claimed those restrictions prevented him from accessing resources like a prison tablet for communicating with family. Moreover, being in solitary confinement meant he couldn’t review crucial documents from his defense attorney, which could hinder his defense strategy.
In their argument, the defense asserted that the ongoing suicide prevention measures were “unnecessary,” contending that these measures strip Allen of his dignity. They noted he must be escorted for showers, undergo strip searches when moving in and out of his cell, and wear a padded vest while inside his cell.
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that prosecutors intend to present the case to a grand jury this week, aiming to secure additional charges against Allen.
Cole Allen, a 31-year-old computer scientist from California, is accused of breaching a Secret Service checkpoint and firing upon attendees during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner held on April 25.
Currently, Allen faces federal charges, including attempted assassination of the president, with more charges likely forthcoming.
