Judge approves Comey’s request to postpone trial

James Comey’s Trial Delayed

A federal judge has agreed to postpone the criminal trial of former FBI Director James Comey. The trial was delayed following allegations that Comey threatened President Donald Trump through subliminal messages on social media.

Last month, Comey was indicted for sharing an Instagram post that displayed seashells arranged in the numbers “86 47.” Many, including federal prosecutors, interpret this as a coded reference aimed at the 47th president.

Judge Louise Wood Flanagan rescheduled the trial for October 21. Comey is set to appear in federal court in New Bern for an arraignment on September 30, provided that certain defense motions don’t alter the schedule.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche commented at a news conference, stating, “It’s not a very hard line… You can’t threaten the president of the United States; it’s simply unacceptable.” He emphasized that these matters are guided by laws passed by Congress.

Following the backlash from his Instagram post, Comey deleted the image. He insisted that he was unaware the photo could be perceived as a violent threat.

Comey addressed the situation in a video, saying, “Hey, they’re back. This time it’s about that photo of a seashell on a North Carolina beach from a year ago. I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in an independent federal judiciary.” He expressed determination to fight the charges.

Comey’s legal team is expected to file various motions to dismiss the case. Judge Flanagan remarked that some of these motions may hinge on the evidence that the government has yet to provide.

The defense is structured with two key attorneys:

Patrick Fitzgerald – Principal Advisor: A close associate of Comey’s, Fitzgerald is noted for his past role as U.S. Attorney in Illinois and his work on the CIA leak investigation. He has come out of retirement to help with Comey’s defense.

Joseph Zezotarski Jr. – District Attorney: Based in Raleigh, N.C., Zezotarski is a criminal defense attorney known for handling high-profile cases. He was recently added to Comey’s legal team.

In federal court, it’s common for lawyers with significant experience, like Fitzgerald, to collaborate with local attorneys who understand the area’s legal landscape. While Fitzgerald will focus on First Amendment issues, Zezotarski will handle local regulations and representation aspects.