Judge Questions Treatment of Assassination Suspect
A federal judge expressed disapproval on Monday regarding how Cole Allen, a would-be assassin, has been treated in prison, even offering him an apology for the harsh conditions imposed by prison officials.
Allen, aged 31, has been in federal custody following accusations that he infiltrated the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner intending to kill President Trump and other officials.
U.S. District Judge Zia Faruqui said she found Allen’s treatment both “fascinating and disturbing.” Immediately after his incarceration, he was placed on suicide watch.
Judge Faruqui addressed lawyers from the Department of Corrections (DOC), highlighting that Allen’s 24-hour lockdown in a secure cell, along with a ban on phone calls and visits except from his lawyers, raised significant concerns. His attorney had even requested access to a tablet to assist in his legal defense.
Additionally, while Allen sought to obtain several copies of the Bible while behind bars, those requests were denied.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantyne argued that Allen posed a danger to himself, as he reportedly indicated to investigators that he didn’t expect to survive the attack he was plotting. However, Judge Faruqui seemed skeptical of this reasoning. She compared Allen’s case to defendants arrested for rioting at the Capitol on January 6, noting they were not subjected to the same severe measures.
“It raises a lot of questions,” she said. “I’ve never seen such restraint applied to the defendants from January 6, and that’s concerning.” She commented on how Allen, having no prior criminal record, was placed under such strict conditions.
The judge also pointed out that during the January 6 events, individuals were housed in less restrictive environments. “If the only way to keep him safe is to implement severe measures, that’s troubling,” she stated.
Judge Faruqui urged that there should be some fairness in the process, expressing her need to apologize to Allen for his treatment, saying, “I’m sorry things didn’t go as they should have.”
She directly addressed Allen, stating, “I will follow up with the prison to ensure your living arrangements are corrected. We’ll see if we can get you some Bible reading material as well.”
After the judge expressed her concerns, an emergency hearing was scheduled following a motion filed by Allen’s lawyers asking to remove him from suicide prevention protocols. Yet, the defense later retracted its request, stating that Allen no longer qualified for that program.
Despite this, Judge Faruqui insisted that prosecutors and DOC representatives must appear in court to clarify the conditions surrounding Allen’s confinement. She also noted the court’s serious reservations about defendants being kept in solitary confinement for extended periods without justification. An update about Allen’s housing will be provided to the court soon.
As of now, he remains in custody with a preliminary hearing planned for May 11th.
