Made it to a McDonald’s to write this up.
It has been pouring rain in central Minnesota. Waves and waves of downpours. I was delayed getting to court because the rain slowed traffic and got soaked getting from my car to the courthouse.
I got there a little before 2 p.m. No line at security and they didn’t make me take off my belt to go through the metal detector. That’s always a plus.
As I was going through security, who should come in the door, but Nick Rekeita. I wandered around the first floor a little because I did not want to share the single elevator to the second floor with him.
I can’t think of any legitimate reason he would have for being outside at that time in the rainthat doesn’t involve a little “pick me up” in the car.
Anyway, made it up to the courtroom. The bailiffs were bigger jerks about my tablet than in Kandiyohi. But I was prepared with my trusty Rhodia and Pilot Metropolitan.
There were maybe a dozen people in the gallery. I don’t know who were Kiwis and who were dabblers. I suspect the people sitting right behind me were friends of Nick (see below).
Aaron was in the gallery when I arrived, but then left. He was wearing a burgundy jacket that was too small for him.
The people siting in back of me whispered loudly, “We should get some booze and head over to Nick and Kayla’s house.”
After a few minutes, the same people whispered, “We’ve been had. It all got worked out in a back room.”
Someone asked the bailiff if it was over yet (or something to that effect). One of the Behind People whisper-said, “Haven’t you ever been arrested before?”
At about 2:08, Aaron returned to the courtroom and crossed the bar with his attorney.
At about 2:09 the judge took the bench. She opened up informing everyone no recording was allowed.
After this, the judge said there had been discussions with counsel in chambers about violations of the conditional release.
Prosecutor begins argument. She wants increased bail and possible custody. She says there are concerns about ongoing behavior, multiple police reports, online behaviors, and significant emails. She gave no details.
Defense argued Aaron was a local homeowner and a good guy with no violent felony record. He says there were multiple statements that could be interpreted multiple ways. My impression - the old dude’s heart was not in this argument at all. It was pretty bland.
After this weak argument, the judge laid into Aaron. Said the conditional release order was clear and he broke it. It is a public safety issue. She increased Aaron’s bail.
Judge then asked whether Defense wanted to proceed to sentencing. Defense said, “no”. There was some boring discussion about choosing a new sentencing date.
Aaron went out the custody door of the courtroom, so I presume he was taken into custody until he can post the increased bail. He was not cuffed or even held by the bailiffs, so I presume everybody already knew what was going to happen.
And that’s about it.