Teen accused of planning an attack pleads guilty to firearms charges:
Andrew Osantowski pleaded guilty to three counts of receiving and concealing firearms. And again my favorite lawyer turned comedian, Brian Legghio had some funny things to say…
Legghio said Thursday’s guilty pleas do not prove Osantowski planned to use the guns, an AK-47 assault rifle and two pump shotguns stolen from a local firearms dealer. He also said the terrorism law under which his client is being prosecuted may violate free speech rights.
“Can you criminalize speech just because you don’t like what somebody says?” Legghio said.
No, but when someone says they’re going to kill their family, then shoot up the school, it’s no longer free speech. Especially since that person was found with an AK-47 assault rifle and two pump shotguns. And yeah, he didn’t plan to use the stolen guns. He was going to give them back your honor, honest. Whatever.
My favorite part is that Legghio motioned to get the chat transcripts amended to say “Andrew” instead of Osantowski’s username “nazi_bot_sadistic”. The judge rejected that motion. Go figure.
The prosecution doesn’t seem to be fazed by the guilty plea…
Kaplan said his case was helped by Osantowski’s admission that he knowingly possessed stolen firearms. “If he tries to commit an act of terrorism, he needs something more than a slingshot,” the prosecutor said during jury selection.
And as far as sentencing goes…
The felony firearm charge carries a 2-year mandatory sentence. Each firearm charge to which Osantowski pleaded guilty is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but Switalski said he would not set a sentencing date until after the remainder of the case was tried.
More on this as it develops.
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