There are literally hundreds of hateful articles that Zeiger wrote, but this case comes down to a couple of lines in just one article. Never was it established by the prosecution that the Daily Stormer is a neo-Nazi website, while Zeiger's defence was that he engages in parody.
To give another one of many possible examples of this botched case: While testifying under oath, Zeiger was able to deny knowing the meaning of 1488, with impunity.
Back to what is happening in court today: The judge is still summarizing his decision; no verdict yet.
The judge admonishes Zeiger's defence lawyer - Hélène Poussard - for distorting historical events around World War II. To paraphrase the judge (who is speaking in French): "Certain comments by the defence lawyer don't belong in a court of law." This is tough language.
The judge's name is Manlio Del Negro. The prosecutor is Patrick Lafrenière. Zeiger is present in court, sitting in the witness box, while the court is packed with anti-fascists here to observe the proceedings, as well as journalists and Jewish community members.
The judge, still summarizing his decision, states with some emphasis that (paraphrasing from the original French): The facts around World War II, including the Holocaust, are incontestable, established historically & documented, not something to debate between reasonable people.
The judge rejects wholly the arguments put forward by the defence questioning or debating aspects of World War II.
Judge says that the quotes that Zeiger admits writing in his article can be interpreted as inciting people to action, and can be interpreted as inciting violence. The judge emphasizes the phrase "non-stop Nazism everywhere" that Zeiger wrote.
Again, for reference, the article in question is linked here:
https://bit.ly/3IAWAxE ... Zeiger admits writing most of the first part of it, including the sentence: "Non-stop Nazism, everywhere, until the very streets are flooded with the tears of our enemies."
The judge says Zeiger has camouflaged his true intentions behind the excuse of satire and parody. The pronouncement of a guilty verdict is imminent.
Judge is going over aspects of the article that Zeiger denies writing; Zeiger asserted that Andrew Anglin added the following anti-Semitic and hateful line: "We definitely need to bring back this ancestral tradition of calling these Christ-killers “stinky Jews” on the street."
The judge has just rejected Zeiger distancing himself from the rest of the article, and does not find his excuses credible. Judge is asserting that Zeiger wrote the entire article; again, official guilty verdict is imminent.
Judge is now reading hateful headlines from Daily Stormer articles as well as titles from Zeiger podcasts. The content of these articles and podcasts were never put into evidence (bizarrely) but the judge can at least quote from the titles.
Judge is continuing summarizing his decision; he is dismissing Zeiger's excuses and explanations under oath. The judge is quote comprehensively dismissing Zeiger's "camouflage" of satire and parody.
For the past two hours, Gabriel Sohier Chaput (aka Zeiger) has been sitting in front of this judge while he essentially dismisses Chaput's credibilty, and portrays him as a hateful Nazi. Still no official verdict yet, since judge is continuing to go over all aspects of defence..
The hateful article written by Zeiger begins with: "2017 will be the year of action." Recall that 2017, among other things, would be the year of Charlottesville (and the murder of anti-racist Heather Heyer) ...
Zeiger was present in Charlottesville (which is one of the reasons his identity would be exposed) and along with other neo-Nazis and racists, he chanted anti-Semitic and racist slogans in Charlottesville (captured on video). That never made it into the evidence.
Gabriel Sohier Chaput (aka Zeiger) - neo-Nazi and contributor the Daily Stormer website - has just been declared guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, of willfully inciting hate against an identifiable group (Jewish people) by Judge Manlio Del Negro at Montreal's Courthouse.
Beyond the verdict, we emphasize that it was the steadfast work of anonymous anti-fascist organizers, with the support of anti-fascist inclined journalists, that was directly responsible for exposing the identity of Zeiger, and his prolific hateful writings and recordings ...
This anti-fascist research, made public back in 2018, is the main anti-fascist "victory", not any decision of the flawed courts. The anti-fascist information against Zeiger is comprehensively summarized in the following article by @MontrealAntifa:
https://bit.ly/373jJYi
Gabriel Sohier Chaput, aka Zeiger: The Montreal Keyboard Nazi Who Wanted to be Goebbels - Montréal-Antifasciste
On May 4, 2018, the Montreal Gazette published the first of a series of articles exposing the identity of an important international neo-Nazi propagandist residing in Montréal, an individual only known up to that point by the pseudonym “Zeiger.” The journalists at the daily made public the results of an investigation conducted over many months […]
Montréal-AntifascisteCatching up on Zeiger trial and verdict updates ... It got quite dramatic, and isn't over yet ...
Gabriel Sohier Chaput (aka Zeiger) - neo-Nazi and contributor the Daily Stormer website - has been declared guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, of willfully inciting hate against an identifiable group (Jewish people) by Judge Manlio Del Negro at Montreal's Courthouse.
The judge ordered the court constable to put Zeiger into custody while waiting for an official sentencing hearing. This is quite dramatic. Zeiger's lawyer objects forcefully.
Judge rejects defence arguments. Judge declares Zeiger an imminent danger to the public and orders him put into custody. Gabriel Sohier Chaput is being put into handcuffs and put into custody.
Defence lawyer asked judge if he is putting her client (Zeiger) into custody because she made a complaint about the judge. This is the first time we are learning about this complaint.
Court is postponed until 2pm when there will be arguments on Zeiger's sentencing.
Beyond the official verdict, we emphasize that it was the steadfast work of anonymous anti-fascist organizers, with the support of anti-fascist inclined journalists, that was directly responsible for exposing the identity of Zeiger, and his prolific hateful writings and recordings ...
This anti-fascist research, made public back in 2018, is the main anti-fascist "victory", not any decision of the flawed courts. The anti-fascist information against Zeiger is comprehensively summarized in the following article by Montreal Antifasciste:
https://bit.ly/373jJYi
Gabriel Sohier Chaput, aka Zeiger: The Montreal Keyboard Nazi Who Wanted to be Goebbels - Montréal-Antifasciste
On May 4, 2018, the Montreal Gazette published the first of a series of articles exposing the identity of an important international neo-Nazi propagandist residing in Montréal, an individual only known up to that point by the pseudonym “Zeiger.” The journalists at the daily made public the results of an investigation conducted over many months […]
Montréal-AntifascisteWe also emphasize that the cops (Montreal's Hate Crimes Unit) presented a hopelessly incomplete and botched case. We also underline that there will almost certainly be an appeal of this verdict by Zeiger's defence lawyer, which means a chance at another verdict.
We'll continue to live-tweet from court at 2pm, during the sentencing hearing; you can follow on this thread.
Court has resumed for sentencing arguments. Zeiger is in the prisoner's box, in handcuffs
The judge asks the prosecutor if he has a prison term in mind; the prosecutor asks for 3 months. Defence lawyer responds by mentioning that her neo-Nazi client doesn't have any prior convictions.
Court has resumed for sentencing arguments. Zeiger is in the prisoner's box, in handcuffs
The judge asks the prosecutor if he has a prison term in mind; the prosecutor asks for 3 months. Defence lawyer responds by mentioning that her neo-Nazi client doesn't have any prior convictions.
The maximum possible penalty is 2 years. The judge has stressed, in his statements, that the now convicted neo-Nazi used anonymity to promote hatred, so there needs to be a stiff penalty to prevent re-offending.
Defence is saying there shouldn't be a prison sentence; and if there is, there could be alternatives (house arrest, community service). She stresses that the accused has no criminal record and been present for all court dates, and that the offense dates back to 2017.
Judge responds that he does think the hateful ideology of the accused has changed, and that he could try to spread hateful ideology "anonymously behind a keyboard".
Judge asks if the convicted neo-Nazi works, and his age. Gabriel Sohier Chaput works (but the kind of work and location is not provided) and is 36 years-old.
The judge wants to impose a release condition that prevents Sohier Chaput from using a computer, except for legitimate work purposes.
Gabriel Sohier Chaput's lawyer - Hélène Poussard - mentions that due to the current situation (presumably tensions between herself and the judge, including her complaint against the judge) there will another defence lawyer for sentencing: Maître Cabral.
The new defence lawyer is Antonio Cabral. Looks like sentencing hearing will continue later this week, on January 25 at 9:30am. Sohier Chaput (Zeiger) will be released from custody under condition to not use computers during that time.