Now the illegal immigrant accused in the shooting death of Kate Steinle is suing the U.S. government, claiming he is a victim of “vindictive’ prosecution.”
Facing deportation after being acquitted of murdering the 32-year-old Steinle in July 2015, Jose Garcia-Zarate, is now claiming he has been treated unfairly by the U.S. government.
Garcia-Zarate, who was deported five times before the shooting death of Steinle at the San Francisco pier, was acquitted in November of first and second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. But he was indicted a few days later by a federal grand jury of being a felon in possession of a firearm and being “an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States in possession of a firearm,” Fox News reported.
Lawyers for Garcia-Zarate demanded documents related to the case in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California on Tuesday, and used tweets and public statements by President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to claim collusion and double jeopardy.
“The true federal interest in pursuing this prosecution is to punish and make an example out of Mr. Garcia-Zarate for his high-profile acquittal in state court,” the motion read. “This prosecution seeks to demonstrate to any high-profile defendant, especially one that is an undocumented immigrant, that their successful exercise of due process rights will not be respected and will result in the heavy hammer of a federal prosecution.”
“Almost immediately after the death of Ms. Steinle, then presidential candidate Donald Trump began to use Mr. Garcia-Zarate as the symbol of the dangers of illegal immigrants and the need for a wall between the United States and Mexico,” the filing said.
Lawyers even claimed that Trump “maligned the verdict on Twitter, stating: ‘A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration.’”
Comments by Sessions about the verdict and blamin San Francisco’s sanctuary city policy were also cited.
“Mr. Garcia-Zarate contends that this prosecution against him is vindictive, in violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and violates Double Jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment because of ongoing collusion between the State of California and the federal government,” the motion read.
Fox Business Network’s Stuart Varney slammed the “outragous story” that he said simply “takes your breath away” with the audacity.
“The man who shot Kate Steinle is suing you, the taxpayer, on the grounds that he was the victim of vindictive prosecution,” Varney said. “This is what happens when a state goes rogue, defying federal authority, supporting illegals over citizens and endangering the lives of ordinary people.”
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- Rep. Jayapal, her progressive posse lay out list of their demands for Biden - April 19, 2024
- ‘Do not lose your life over a f-ing car!’ Brazen thieves tell homeowners to stay inside as they swipe Corvette - April 18, 2024
- Sworn in jurist in Trump hush money trial already dismissed as selection becomes growing nightmare - April 18, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
