The jury also convicted one of the defendants, 27-year-old Brian Cortez Lightfoot, of five additional counts of use of tear gas not in self-defense, but ended up hung on nine counts of assault. The judge declared a mistrial on those charges.
The jury acquitted both Lightfoot and his co-defendant, 41-year-old Jeremy Jonathan White, on an additional count of assault.
Prosecutors alleged that Lightfoot and White were self-described anti-fascists who showed up prepared to attack their political enemies at a Jan. 9, 2021, “Patriot March” in Pacific Beach organized by supporters of then-outgoing President Donald Trump.
Defense attorneys told the jurors their clients were there to counter-protest the march — which took place just three days after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol — and that any violence they might have participated in was self-defense against provocateurs and armed members of the pro-Trump group.
Antifa found Guilty of Conspiracy to Riot …
Defendants are affiliated with Antifa. A group of the Defendants originated from the Los Angeles area and the remaining Defendants are from San Diego County.
Antifa uses force, fear, and violence to further their interests and suppress the interests of others. The alleged objective of this conspiracy was to incite and participate in a riot as defined in Penal Code section 404 Riot.
On or about January 2, 2021, Antifa supporters posted on social media calling for “counterprotesting” and direct action in response to a scheduled political demonstration in Pacific Beach on January 9, 2021.
Defendants and other uncharged coconspirators confirmed their support and participation by showing up in Pacific Beach on January 9, 2021, dressed in black clothing, and armed with weapons and protective gear, before participating in the violence …
Antifa San Diego 4th Indictment
PB Case CT No. SCD274477
https://scribd.com/document/732148446/Antifa-San-Diego-4th-Indictment-PB-Case-CT-No-SCD274477
2 Antifa Adherents Guilty of Conspiracy to Riot in PB
https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2024/05/03/2-antifa-adherents-guilty-of-conspiracy-to-riot-in-pb-mistrial-on-tear-gas-counts/
San Diego jury finds two Los Angeles men guilty of ‘antifa’ conspiracy in unique prosecution
https://sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2024-05-03/antifa-trial-verdict-san-diego
