Section 1: Summary

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• Date: March 9, 2026
• Court: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division
• Case: CR 229-3 (Prairieland defendants)
• Judge: Mark Pittman
• Prosecution: Shawn Smith (USAO)
• Defense attorneys present: Multiple defense counsel present (specific attorneys difficult to distinguish across note-takers; at least Cody Cofer and James Luster identified for Autumn Hill)
• Defendants present: Benjamin “Champagne” Song, Meagan Morris, Autumn Hill, Zachary Evetts, Maricela “Mari” Rueda, Daniel “Des” Sanchez Estrada, Savanna “Vanna” Batten, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto
• Type of proceeding: Jury trial (continuing)
• Witnesses: Nathan Baumann (cooperating witness — cross-examination); Phillip Stout (DPS forensic scientist — firearms); Sarah Edwards (fingerprint expert); Josef Andrew Lopez (DPS forensic scientist — DNA); Steven Brenneman (ATF special agent — explosives); David Kyle Shideler (prosecution’s “Antifa expert”)

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Key Takeaways

• The prosecution’s “Antifa expert” has never published a peer-reviewed paper, has no rigorous methodology, and admitted his work is “not a hard science.” David Kyle Shideler, from the Center for Security Policy (labeled a hate group by the SPLC), testified for the first time in court. He has never been challenged on his expertise in any forum. His degree is in politics and literature. He relies entirely on open-source materials — books, websites, social media — with no data verification protocols and no system to check for bias.
• Shideler helped the government write the definition of Antifa used in the indictment. He was brought onto the case in early October and gave the prosecution his definition, which they adopted. Two weeks later he testified before the Senate using that same definition. He also authored a guide for the Trump administration on dismantling far-left organizing.
• Shideler has never seen any private Antifa communications besides this case. The only Signal chats he has ever reviewed that he attributes to Antifa are the ones in this trial. He conceded that nowhere in the chats did anyone mention Antifa, discuss harming people, or plan property damage.
• Shideler agreed everything the defendants did was “consistent with a noise demonstration up until the rifle fire.” He acknowledged the chat showed a plan for a noise demo with fireworks. He explained away the absence of any violent planning by claiming “security culture” would prevent it from appearing in chats — effectively arguing the lack of evidence is itself evidence.
• Judge Pittman repeatedly pushed back on Shideler’s testimony. The judge interrupted his lengthy narratives, told him to stop being “so argumentative” with defense counsel, asked from the bench whether owning political literature makes someone a member of a group (citing Mein Kampf, Das Kapital, and a book by President Johnson), and pointed to the fasces symbol on the courtroom ceiling to challenge Shideler’s claims about the fixed meaning of political symbols.
• The ATF explosives expert’s credibility was damaged on cross. Steven Brenneman claimed certification as an ATF explosives specialist since 2015 but actually completed certification in 2017 — overstating his credentials by two years on his CV. He has never been to Prairieland. The ATF bomb dog did not alert at the scene. He was unaware that no property was damaged and no one was injured by fireworks besides a cooperating defendant who mishandled them. He shipped firework evidence via FedEx without labeling it as hazardous material or using required markings, undermining his own testimony that these are dangerous explosives.
• DNA evidence linked Song’s profile to a neck gaiter at 68.4 trillion to one. Forensic scientist Josef Lopez testified that a two-person DNA mixture on a green gaiter strongly matched Song’s profile. However, cross-examination established that a “quality incident” occurred at the lab during testing, and that items were not always handled under ideal conditions (left drying in open air with potential for cross-contamination). The second contributor was not analyzed.
• Cooperating witness Nathan Baumann’s testimony continued to erode the prosecution’s case. Baumann admitted on cross that law enforcement threatened him to extract a plea deal, that his lawyer told him he “had to snitch, even if I have to make shit up,” and that he told officers: “let me know if there’s anything else you need or if I can point out people’s cars / people doing dumb shit.” He said he took the deal because he was told he faced “fucking capital murder.” He learned about black bloc from TikTok, said July 4 was his first time meeting the defendants, and testified that vandalism was not part of the plan.
• Judge Pittman admonished defense counsel for mouthing “what the fuck” in court, saying he didn’t want to embarrass anyone by calling them out specifically but that it was unprofessional and needed to stop.
• Trial scheduling: The judge indicated the defense should close its case by end of week or Monday. Closing arguments tentatively Monday morning. The judge said he would be “generous” with time. Prosecution previously rested or is about to rest. The judge wants to avoid cutting into spring break.

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Narrative Summary

Morning Session: Nathan Baumann, Phillip Stout, Sarah Edwards

Nathan Baumann (Cooperating Witness — Cross-Examination)

Nathan Baumann continued testimony as a cooperating witness. He had accepted a plea deal with a proffer letter from prosecutor Shawn Smith. Baumann testified he was already visiting his brother in Dallas when the July 4 events occurred. The prosecution noted Baumann may be a podcaster; Smith said “let’s unpack that a little bit.”

Baumann testified he learned about black bloc from TikTok and that July 4, 2025 was the first time he met the defendants. He said he did not know anyone’s real name. He had his phone on him and powered on throughout the night. Video evidence showed Baumann saying to a camera that he wasn’t doing anything.

On cross-examination, Baumann’s cooperation with law enforcement was explored in detail. He testified that an officer (possibly named Paulson) “yelled and threatened” him to extract the plea deal. He told officers: “Let me know if there’s anything else you need or if I can point out people’s cars / people doing dumb shit.” Most damningly, Baumann stated: “My lawyer said I have to snitch, even if I have to make shit up.”

Baumann met with the government on February 4 to prepare for cross-examination. He was not in the July 4 party Signal chat and did not know that rifles were being brought to the protest. Multiple defense attorneys cross-examined him. One established that the No Kings protest Baumann also attended (where ~150 people were present) resulted in no arrests and no agreement to engage in violence. Baumann weighed 118 lbs at the time of the protest.

Baumann admitted he brought spray paint to the protest (he said it was for signs and “because he likes art work”) and that he kicked a sign and a vehicle. He lied to police on the night of the protest because he was scared. He acknowledged taking the plea deal because officers threatened him with “fucking capital murder” and told him “you participated — that’s why you’re getting charged.” He said: “Govt pretty much put me here to fucking rot.” He thought he would be charged with a crime he didn’t commit, facing a minimum of 40 years in federal prison.

Defense established that Baumann’s vandalism was not part of any prior plan, that he repeatedly told police at the scene it was supposed to be a peaceful protest, and that he was the only person who spray-painted that night (identified as “Babe” in chat handles; Seth Syler/”Wize” was also identified spray painting cars in video). Autumn Hill was quoted by Baumann as saying “if they are not good cops, they deserve to be shot” and that she ran “a homosexual cult” and was “literally the cult leader” at the “Big Gay House.” Daniel Sanchez Estrada was described as “very nice” to Baumann.

Defense also established that when corrections officers came out during the protest, there was no effort by protestors to enter the facility. Baumann told the group there was only one way in and out. He also told the group his clients were at risk of deportation and that he had been arrested many times — both statements were false.

On redirect, the prosecution referenced Exhibit 131 regarding Sanchez moving zines and established that use of fireworks is prohibited in city limits, and that the ICE facility is within city limits.

Phillip Stout (DPS Forensic Scientist — Firearms)

Phillip Stout, a forensic scientist with the Texas Department of Public Safety, testified about an AR-15 magazine with a defect in front that would prevent the firearm from being fired. He examined cartridges removed from the magazine. The lab in Garland had 3 examiners and 1 supervisor. There were 13 damaged cartridges. He did not observe anything on the exterior of the gun that would have caused the cartridge damage. He confirmed it was likely a 60-round magazine.

Sarah Edwards (Fingerprint Expert)

Sarah Edwards, a forensic scientist in the Garland Crime Lab’s friction ridge (fingerprint) unit, testified using the ACE-V methodology (Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification). This was her second time testifying in court. She examined Exhibit 182 and identified fingerprints on cartridges in the magazine as belonging to Benjamin Song. The analysis used a super glue fuming process with fluorescent light stain. On cross, she confirmed the methodology was based on the scientific method.

Afternoon Session: Josef Lopez, Steven Brenneman, David Kyle Shideler

Josef Andrew Lopez (DPS Forensic Scientist — DNA)

Josef Andrew Lopez, a forensic scientist with Texas DPS in Waco specializing in DNA, testified starting around 12:39 PM. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and entered but did not complete a PhD program at UTD. He has been a certified DNA analyst since 2016, with 2–3 years of training including competency exams and proficiency tests. His work is peer-reviewed by other analysts.

Lopez screened items of evidence in this case and testified about a neck gaiter (Exhibit O47). The gaiter was sealed in a bag with no tampering. It tested negative for blood but yielded a partial two-person DNA mixture from interior swabs. The major contributor’s profile was compared to reference samples.

Result: The DNA profile matched Benjamin Song’s profile with a likelihood ratio of 68.4 trillion to one — characterized as “very strong” evidence. The following individuals were excluded: Ines Soto, Savanna Batten, Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Meagan Morris, Lynette Sharp, Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and John Thomas. Zachary Evetts, Autumn Hill, and Maricela Rueda were “flat out” excluded.

On cross-examination, defense established that the Waco lab had jurisdiction for Johnson County cases, that items were tracked through the LIMS database system, and that cross-contamination was possible if items were left in open air. Lopez was not told that items may have been subject to cross-contamination before his testing. He acknowledged a “quality incident” — described as “minor” — occurred at the lab during the testing period.

The defense also established that the second (minor) contributor’s DNA was not analyzed and that this omission was not noted in the report. Lopez acknowledged he could have determined whether the contributors were male or female but did not do so.

On redirect, the prosecution showed photographs of items laid out on sterile paper and Lopez testified he would not expect contamination from the conditions shown.

Steven Brenneman (ATF Special Agent — Explosives)

Steven Brenneman, an ATF special agent and certified explosives specialist, testified starting around 1:08 PM. He has 18 years with ATF, with firearms training including “thousands and thousands” of rounds at the range. He became an explosives specialist in 2015 (training) and described courses in investigative technique, chemistry, and ordnance identification, along with a graduate certificate and master’s in explosive engineering.

Brenneman testified about a thumbprint found on rounds (.556 caliber) in a 60-round magazine belonging to Song, indicating Song loaded the magazine. He also examined consumer-grade fireworks from a red cooler collected by the FBI from the Prairieland scene.

Key testimony on fireworks: Brenneman explained that consumer fireworks are classified as 1.4 on the hazard scale (where 1.1 is highest, like dynamite, and 1.6 is lowest). Consumer fireworks are limited to 130 mg of flash powder, versus commercial fireworks which have no such limit and require a license. He described the chemical composition (black powder: potassium nitrate, sulfur, charcoal) and how aerial shells/mortars work. He testified about blast pressure, comparing it to a pipe bomb, and said the mortars could break a window, cause hand injuries, and potentially cause death.

The prosecution showed CCTV footage and Brenneman described seeing people in dark clothing near a tree line, sparks, a flame event, aerial shells being thrown rather than launched from tubes, and smoldering grass. He confirmed conditions were rainy. He was asked whether the fireworks meet the statutory definition of explosives under 18 U.S.C. Section 844(i)/(j), and testified they do because they contain gunpowder as defined in the statute. The judge noted this definition was shown for “demonstrative purposes only” and was not part of the record.

Confrontation Clause objection (1:40 PM): Defense objected under the Confrontation Clause, citing Melendez-Diaz and Smith v. Arizona (22-899), arguing that Brenneman could not testify about lab results from a chemist in Atlanta who was not on the witness list and not available for cross-examination. After a 20-minute break to read Smith v. Arizona, Judge Pittman sustained the objection, ruling that Brenneman could not cite the absent analyst’s lab results. Brenneman could, however, testify to conclusions based on his own training and observation.

When the jury returned (~2:08 PM), Judge Pittman told an anecdote about Judge Belew, “a certified American hero” with three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star from the 93rd Infantry, and made a joke about hearsay: “I can’t believe you woke me up for a hearsay pitch.”

Cross-examination (~2:24 PM): Defense methodically attacked Brenneman’s credibility:

• CV inaccuracy: Brenneman’s CV listed his ATF Certified Explosives Specialist certification as “2015–present,” but he actually completed certification in 2017 — claiming credentials two years before earning them. The class photo from a magazine called “The Detonator” confirmed the timeline.
• Never visited Prairieland. He had never been to the scene.
• Bomb dog found nothing. ATF agent Scott Satcher and explosives detection dog Calvin checked the area where fireworks landed and the dog did not alert. It had been raining for three days; temperature was 72 degrees.
• NFPA 495 — “the Bible” for explosives. Brenneman said he had never heard of it.
• High vs. low ordnance: Defense distinguished between detonation (high ordnance, above speed of sound) and deflagration (low ordnance, below speed of sound), establishing that consumer fireworks are low ordnance and do not detonate.
• No inventory of the cooler. Brenneman did not make an inventory of all items in the cooler. He was asked about a “big jar of kids bubbles” in the cooler that he did not test.
• FedEx shipping without hazardous labels. Brenneman shipped firework evidence via FedEx without filling out hazardous materials forms or applying the required orange triangle marking — contradicting his testimony that these items are dangerous explosives.
• No damage, no injuries. Brenneman was not briefed on whether anyone was injured or whether any property was damaged. He acknowledged that no damage occurred to the Prairieland facility or fence from fireworks. The only injury was to Sikes, who mishandled a mortar that exploded near his leg — and even then, the witness said he was “surprised he wasn’t hurt more.”
• “This is not an IED.” Brenneman agreed.
• Brenneman also used a ceramic blade (not metal) to cut open fireworks, and confirmed the fireworks were cardboard construction.

On redirect, the prosecution established that Brenneman shipped only about half a gram of material (versus 6.5 grams in a full mortar), argued that the firework storage exemptions in the statute prove they are explosives (“if they weren’t explosives, why would they need an exemption?”), and referenced the Boston Marathon bombing to argue 1.4 class explosives can still be dangerous.

On re-cross, defense clarified that the Boston Marathon bombs were inside pressure cookers, making the comparison inapplicable. Defense also confirmed: “Did the Prairieland fence suffer any damage?” Judge Pittman stated it had already been established that there was no damage.

David Kyle Shideler (Prosecution’s “Antifa Expert”)

David Kyle Shideler testified starting around 3:24 PM as the prosecution’s expert on Antifa. He is currently the director of the Center for Security Policy, a 501(c)(3) think tank in Washington, D.C., focused on national security. The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated the Center for Security Policy as a hate group.

Background: Shideler graduated from Boston University’s “University Professor’s Program” in 2004 with a degree in politics and literature. After graduation, he lived with his parents, blogging and writing. He worked for Stand With Us (dealing with antisemitism on campuses), then the Endowment for Middle East Truth, with particular emphasis on the Muslim Brotherhood. He describes himself as “really interested in where ideology meets action.”

He began studying Antifa in 2017, prompted by attacks on speakers at college campuses. He wrote an internal memo and renewed his interest in 2020 during the summer protests. He testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee and began a program to educate law enforcement about Antifa. By 2025, he had briefed over 75 agencies.

Direct examination — History of Antifa: Shideler provided a lengthy historical narrative tracing Antifa from the Weimar Republic through post-war Germany, the 1960s–70s autonomous movement, the defense of squats, the emergence of black bloc tactics, the UK punk rock scene, Anti-Racist Action (ARA) in the 1980s U.S., and the current Torch Antifa Network. The judge interrupted multiple times, telling him to stop lecturing and to let the attorney ask questions: “No offense but this is not a lecture.”

Shideler defined Antifa as operating under a “united front” of leftist ideologies — anarchists, autonomous Marxists, anarcho-communists, syndicalists — with a strong anti-authoritarian orientation. He distinguished Antifa from Marxist-Leninist parties.

Zines and literature: Shideler testified about several zines and exhibits seized from defendants:

• CrimeThinc materials on anarchism and “organizing for attack”
• Alfredo Bonanno’s insurrectionary anarchist writings
• “I Don’t Bash Back, I Shoot First” — described as a queer liberation zine about “tired of responding to attacks”
• “If We Go, We Go on Fire” — from Savanna Batten’s phone (Exhibit 163-1G4); Shideler characterized it as insurrectionary, about “sharpening grief into a weapon”
• Notebook from Ines Soto’s car (Exhibit 58) listing zine titles

Symbology: Shideler testified about symbols found in defendants’ residences and literature:

• Red and black flags (anarcho-communism/syndicalism; Spanish Civil War iconography)
• Three arrows / Iron Front symbol
• Gadsden flag being stomped (interpreted as willingness to attack opponents)
• Nazi imagery being discarded
• “Antifa International” logo
• Yellow vests as “peace policing” — people who try to prevent direct action

He stated the common slogan: “Death to fascism and the liberalism that enables it.”

Judge Pittman intervened on symbols: The judge pointed to the fasces symbol on the courtroom ceiling and asked whether that could be considered a fascist symbol — noting “you can have a lot in a symbol.” Shideler responded that it depends on context, that clandestine groups need ways to communicate through symbols.

Expert witness qualification dispute (~3:59 PM): Defense objected to Shideler’s qualification as an expert. The jury was excused. Defense argued the government had failed to lay a foundation for expertise under FRE 702 and that Shideler’s testimony was not relevant under FRE 403 because all cooperating witnesses testified the defendants did not consider themselves Antifa. Judge Pittman ruled that the deadline for expert qualification challenges was in the pretrial scheduling order (November 3) and the defense had missed it. Objections under both 702 and 403 were overruled. The judge noted the defense had not objected to prior expert witnesses’ qualifications.

“What the fuck” admonishment (~4:10 PM): Before bringing the jury back, Judge Pittman addressed the courtroom: “I’ve seen attorneys mouth ‘what the fuck.’ I’m not going to embarrass you by calling you out. Save it until you go home.” He said he was “not upset” and understood he couldn’t “make everybody happy.”

Organizations and structure: Shideler testified about:

• Emma Goldman Book Club: An anarchist book club that made zines; run as a “distro” (DIY publishing) out of the Sotos’ home
• SRA (Socialist Rifle Association): Community self-defense; slogan “We keep us safe”
• John Brown Gun Club (JBGC): “Armed Antifa group in black bloc carrying firearms”; “armed community defense”
• Affinity groups: 2–10 members (typically 4–6) politically aligned and interested in direct action
• Black bloc: Both apparel and tactic; made up of multiple affinity groups with specialized roles (scouts, medics, radio operators); goal is “swarming” to make identification difficult
• Spokes council: Decision-making body where affinity groups send representatives; operates on consensus
• Song, Rueda, and Ines Soto identified as “points of contact” who would draw affinity groups together

Shideler cited the 2019 Tacoma ICE facility shooting (where a man was killed after opening fire, writing “I am Antifa” in a manifesto) as an example of arms being used offensively.

He described operational security / “security culture” as “the entire way you live your life” — monikers, private chats, throwing away bloc clothing after actions, IFAKs (“Superman’s cape — that’s why they have to be instructed to throw it away”). He described “deblocking” — removing black clothing to blend back into society — and cited defendants being observed removing masks while walking away from the scene.

Cross-examination (~4:30 PM): Defense counsel systematically dismantled Shideler’s credibility:

• No academic credentials: Never held an academic position. Not a professor (the judge had briefly called him one and had to be corrected). His degree is in politics and literature.
• No peer review: The Center for Security Policy has never published a peer-reviewed paper. Shideler acknowledged that peer review serves to verify, test, and contradict findings. His publications go directly to the public and government consumers without external review.
• No data verification: He was unfamiliar with the term “data verification protocol.” He has no standardized procedure to confirm his data, no coding schema, no analytic model, no sampling framework. He said: “It’s not a hard science.” His research is entirely open-source — websites, books, social media, videos. He stated: “I engage in open source research, websites where Antifa members pose [post?], videos they put out.”
• Bias prevention: When asked what he does to ensure his work is free of bias, he said he “quotes extensively” and focuses on “in-group statements, assuming [they are] more truthful.”
• First time testifying. He has never been challenged on his expertise in any forum. All prior appearances (cable TV, podcasts, two Senate hearings) were friendly, non-adversarial settings.
• Sat through entire trial. He heard all cooperating witnesses testify they did not consider themselves members of Antifa. He acknowledged that nowhere in the Signal chats did anyone mention “Antifa.” Defendants used the term “anti-fascist.”
• Free speech and assembly. Defense established that the First Amendment protects the right to free thought, speech, and assembly; that it is legal to be opposed to fascism; and that most Americans would reasonably be considered anti-fascist.
• No leadership, membership, headquarters, dues, or recruitment — Shideler agreed on all points. He said the absence of these is “inconsistent with their ideology.” He cited Rose City Antifa as having a six-month recruitment process, but acknowledged that was an exception. When asked “so it’s more of a label?” he responded: “No, sir.”
• Masking is not unique to Antifa. Defense pointed out that law enforcement also covers their faces to prevent doxxing; Shideler agreed. He agreed that covering one’s face is only an indicator of Antifa “in the context of black bloc.”
• Political literature does not make someone a terrorist. Shideler agreed. Defense noted that Shideler himself had written a publication about militia and state defense policy that included advocacy — “not unlike a zine.” Shideler agreed his publication was not tactical instruction but was similar in format.
• Signal and Faraday bags are widely used. Shideler admitted he uses Signal. Defense noted the Secretary of War uses Signal. Shideler agreed Faraday bags are used by government officials traveling overseas, not just “bad actors.”
• The plan was a noise demo. Shideler agreed the Signal chats showed participants going to Prairieland to set off fireworks. He agreed that “everything they did that night was consistent with a noise demonstration up until the rifle fire.” He agreed detainees heard and saw fireworks, which would be consistent with a noise demo. He agreed no one discussed harming people or damaging property in the chats. When defense pointed out Baumann testified his property damage wasn’t part of the plan, Shideler responded: “It wouldn’t need to be [discussed] — it would be assumed that property destruction could happen at a noise demo.”
• Secrecy is not unique to terrorists. Defense compared Antifa’s security culture to the Knights of Columbus, a Roman Catholic men’s organization with secrets. Shideler responded: “As long as there are no terrorist acts.”
• “If We Go, We Go on Fire” is about grief. Defense pointed out the essay is about grief; Shideler responded it’s about “sharpening grief into a weapon.”
• Emma Goldman Book Club was open to the public. Shideler was not aware. He only knew it as an anarchist book club that made zines. Defense established the club also covered film, gardening, horticulture, and other non-political subjects. When defense asked “so gardening aligns with Antifa?” Shideler responded it is “not inconsistent with self-defense” and part of “material support.”
• Judge Pittman intervened on literature: The judge asked from the bench whether having literature makes someone a member of a group: “Just because I own a copy of Mein Kampf, does that make me a Nazi? If I own Das Kapital, does that make me a Marxist?”
• Symbols change over time. Defense used the Confederate battle flag and the Punisher skull (worn by police who are themselves opposed to the character’s vigilantism) as examples. Shideler conceded symbols can change meaning.
• Only one Antifa chat — ever. Shideler admitted the Signal chats in this case are the only “Antifa” communications he has ever reviewed. He has never had access to any other. He acknowledged that the defendants never used the term “security culture” in their chats.
• Open source data is unreliable. Defense established that open-source data can come from anyone — including bots generating extremist content — and that source attribution is difficult. Defense asked whether someone could create a “DFW Antifa” social media page without any actual connection. Shideler agreed. Judge Pittman noted: “The point the attorney is making is correct.”
• Right-wing groups: Defense asked what right-wing groups the Center for Security Policy covers. Shideler named Patriot Front and jihadist groups. When asked about Proud Boys and Christian nationalism, he said they don’t focus on those because “lots of groups already do.”
• Career benefit: Defense asked whether this case was good for his career/platform. Shideler responded: “I guess it will depend on how it goes.”
• Wrote the definition in the indictment. Shideler started working on this case in early October. He helped the government “put together a definition” of Antifa that was used in the indictment. It was not a pre-existing definition — he created it and provided it to the prosecution. Two weeks later, he testified before the Senate using it.
• Trump administration guide. Shideler authored a guide for the Trump administration on disrupting far-left organizing, published in “The American Mind.”
• SPLC designation. The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the Center for Security Policy as a hate group.

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Jury Observations

Multiple note-takers observed a juror on the end appearing to doze off repeatedly during the afternoon session — first noted at approximately 1:27 PM during Brenneman’s technical testimony about fireworks, again at 2:50 PM, and again at 3:42 PM during Shideler’s testimony. A juror sitting next to them appeared confused or was squinting and frowning. One note-taker remarked: “if I wasn’t taking notes, same — it was just very technical, kind of boring.”

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Next Court Date and Case Status

• The judge indicated the defense should aim to close its case by end of the week (Friday, March 13) or Monday, March 16.
• Closing arguments tentatively Monday morning.
• Court resumes at 9:00 AM the next day.
• Judge Pittman said he would be “generous” with time and told the defense: “Don’t worry about the charge” (jury instructions) between closing. He noted the trial was cutting into spring break — his included.
• The judge remarked this is one of the “longest trials in American history.”

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Incidents and Atmosphere

• Courtroom nearly full before the afternoon break, with interns taking notes on laptops.
• A person described as “guy from outside” entered the courtroom wearing something on his head during the afternoon session (noted without further context).
• Defendants were relaxed during breaks — “drinking tea, juice, etc.; Champagne eating.”
• Overheard during break: Supporters discussed “Finn’s Place” as political and referenced a church where self-defense classes were held.
• One note-taker observed that someone named “Eric or Erica” is getting the transcript but “it’s expensive.”
• Audio note-takers commented that Shideler sounded “very rehearsed” — “saying the exact same stuff and sound bites that he said on like right-wing podcasts… word for word.”
• One note-taker observed that Shideler’s voice “sound[ed] like AI.”
• The prosecution’s framing of the “Antifa expert” testimony appeared intended as a climactic moment but, per multiple note-takers, “seemed like there was supposed to be an aha moment that didn’t really ever come.”

Section 2: Full Notes

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AL

Nathan Baumann
Shawn Smith – plea deal, proffer letter
Baumann asked to read “agreement”
was already in town visiting brother
in Dallas. SS thinks he’s a podcaster
“lets unpack that a little bit.”
Learned about black bloc from TikTok
“My name’s Nate- ahh, nevermind, I’m
Bible.(” no close quote in notes) Had phone on him all night,
powered on. Video of Baumann saying
he’s not doing anything to a[?] camera[?] (hard to read handwriting0.
Says he doesn’t know anyone’s true name.
July 4 was first time meeting them.
Ofc Paulson? yelled and threatened
Baumann to extract plea deal.
Met w/ gov 2/4 to prep for cross.
Baumann told cops: “let me know if
there’s anything else you need or if
I can point out people’s cars/ people
doing dumb shit.”

Baumann: my lawyer said I have to
snitch, even if I have to make shit up.

ACVE – fingerprint expt.

“Quality Incident” Something that
occurs outside of SOP

Agent Steven Brenneman Special Agent ATF

aerial shells/ mortars
govt pretends fireworks are insanely
dangerous, despite the lax
manner in which JoCo / Alvarado
handled them.

David Shideler (Alleged Antifa
expert)

Why does his voice sound like AI?

Endowment for Middle East Truth?

“He’s giving it to us.”

• Shawn Smith
• Torch Antifa Group

Antifa – different leftist groups
work together

Started working on this case in
early October. They asked for his
help and input w/ charging and
indictments.

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EW

Agree w/ A judgement valid
A If agent getting into opinions… offering
as expert?
P came to same conc. as lab
J So what’s the point if already heard
A If conc. black pwdr. how reached
P+ agree can only testify knowledge &
understanding.

Jury out

J Story time. Longest trial in US hist
Worth more imp things in life than
the law. Joke about hearsay.

P exhibit pg 4 show part, pg 5 burn
examining “mortar” shells.
yes
examined CCTV
yes
what see
looked like ppl, dark clothes,
sparks, another flame
event, exploded in air
Someone light & throw

not how supposed to use
lift charge explode near
ground
P what happens

• not contained in mortar
  tube so it explode out
  instead of propelling
  P when it does, burning 1500°,
  what see
• smoldering in grass
  P conditions
• raining & misting.
  P 1,500° enough to catch on [?]
  fire
• Not expert, don’t know what’s
  in grass, couldn’t say
  100%
  P Would ever shoot at own home,
• Abs not
  P EX 183A 18 USC § 844(i).
  J shown for demonstrative
  purposes only not part of
  record
  P expl.
• black pwdr.

A obj knowledge of concs
J overr.
P how fit def.

• charge used in fireworks is
  gunpowder. Only chemical
  mix oxidizing [?] … many
  cause explosion.
  ignition powder PCI &
  flash powder
  all explosives are oxidizer
  & a fuel combined in right
  proportions… ignited
  A obj relevance
  J obj sustained
  P ind mortar blew up by leg
• surprised not hurt more
  than he was. They are
  very dangerous.
  P Are these the most powerful
  consumer grade you can
  buy w/o permit
• yes sir
  A Agent Brennan I don’t
  think our paths have crossed
• no

A Devil is in details

• Not sure what you mean
  A I have to depend on your CV
• yes
  A Failed to indicate candidate
  for ATF 2015-2017
• not sure [?] exactly [?]

A Put cert from 2015

A Know Huel O’Connor

• yes
  A Mag detonator
• yes
  A Show class photo
  goes through classes not
  completed at the date they
  are claiming they are
  claiming cert.
  A said plastic can’t
• I said it could
  A Do you hold yourself out
  for cert’s you have on [?]
  basis
• No

A ATF Bomb satcher [?] & Calvin
worked area claimed was
disproving & dog did not
indicate anything.
Whether import & learned at Plexi [?]

• No but read about it
  A what about “ATF Bible”
• Never heard of it
  A Rees. you know from training
  there are secs. you referred to
  in direct – commercial.
  Would you be surprised that
  they ATF ref as consumer
  and displays. UN desig as
  well.
• ok
  A Is any ref to high ordnance
  doesn’t apply here.
• correct
  A Congress picked term “gun
  powder” not black powder
  & everything to left of
  high ordnance.
  A So nothing detonates
• no

A So blast pressure at cardboard
tube

• Not sure
  A difference between high & low ord –
  you are confusing detonation
  & blast pressure – example
  pipe bomb.
  A How far out was the seated [?]
  explosion at Prairieland
• never been there
  A Who’s rpt #1
• Matt
  A What did Matt do
• Assist ID explosive & firearms
  I guess?
  A Case number pulled…
• no we did it under 1
  A When pulled
• Oct-
  A What date first Cont [?]
• don’t know
  A Should have
• I wouldn’t have
  A First cont by FBI
• ?

A Checked out items to inspect

• ? Define check out
  A Have ever seen
• Yes
  A Pull up govt 52 pg 13
  see?
• N
  A Zoom. See cooler
• Y
  A Pg 14 items in & out of
  cooler. Did you examine
  those items
• from angle, cnt tell
  A hxt pg item disc. w/ gato, ind [?]
• long matches – yes
  A go to gov. 53 p 2, make inci. [?]
• No
  A Have seen at court?
• no
  A tested for explosives
• no
  A Big jar kids bubbles. Tested?
• No
  A You called it 1.4
• yes

A Would you agree all explosives
need to be stored in 1.4 storage

• weight of 50 lb.
  A beginning weight 0-1000
• something about Bass Brothers [?]
  black powder
  A You shipped exhibits. Did you
  indicate it was a 1.4
• No
  A shockwave study
• not aware
  A not call I.E.D
• no
  A So when we look at this you
  never went out to see if they
  were launched on level ground
  …
  A A flash bang detonates & makes noise
• terminology wrong.
  A Do solids burn
• Does [?]
  A Do they gas off first
• yes
  A Scientific method

A Did you form hypoth?

• yes, I think
  A Did you use metalic knife
  to cut up expl.
• Used ceramic blade
  A Cardboard const [?]
• yes
  A Perchloride [?]
• yes
  A Black powder in meal form?
• not in lift. First charge
  maybe
  A In prep to testify aware no evidence
  to fence & property?
• Not as readily
  A Agree not damage to person
  except Sikes because he didn’t have [?]
• No injury from firework [?]
  P Make pt that not damage
  or injury at PL
• No
  P Acting maliciously
• Yes
  P Shoot some
• yes 1/2 g of each

P and they were about 6.5 g.
a lot diff.
Ref to code they exempt
firework storage. If they
were not exempt w/ need
to store prop.

• yes
  P S conf blast pressure. It
  doesn’t matter.
• Yes. It doesn’t matter if
  detonate then expl or expl blast [?]
  P Boston Marathon Bomb [?] commercial [?]
• 1.4 fireworks used. Doesn’t
  mean safe.
  A Pressure cooker event
• Would have loved to have been
  invited to do inv. that night
• I we know there was no damage
  3:07 Break
  // KG – currently director…
  focus on security matters
  since 2020 Before middle
  East forum.
  Boston Univ, from Univ prog.

grad 2004. Hum degree lived
in P garage blogging &
writing. Stand w/ [?] use
database & research
Endowment for Middle East
Truth – Islamic Movement
Muslim Brotherhood.
44 Entire career studying – more
KS Study Article 2017. Wrote
internal memo. Pg. Az DOPS
Renewed interest in 2020.
Testify to Congress about
antifa. Basic Officer training
program. Briefed 15
agencies in 2025.
44 What is A—
KS word – anti fascist action
Weimar Republic
A obj. heresay [?]
J overruled
44 rose out of fight against
nazis [?]
KS also gender l & Ch. Many
abv. German long words
Nazi win & dissolve

1970s & 80s return autonomous
movement: College students.
related to defense of squats.
A obj
OR
44 autonomous
KS because groups creating
autonomous zones illegally
conflict w/ police.
Black Bloc tactic used
to hide identities
A not est as expert.
J wrap up now.
44
KS jumps to UK – punk rock
sub culture. US anti racist
action. Active as torch antifa
action today.
44
KS antifa ops under united
front of leftist groups, anadi [?]
autonomous Marxist, a strong
anti authoritarian Socialist
connection

KS CrimeThinc zine
Organized for attack. Insurrection [?]
anarchy – not interested
in immediate direct action
against the govt. Hist
bombings, prison breaks,
can’t tell what will spark
rev, so try many methods
SS Direct action
KS action taken to make direct
political effect. Opposed to
bldg. – burn equip.
J Please cut down narrative
SS these found in Sardley [?] car
KS yes
44 these articles – if zines
taken from tote bag.
KS Bash Back – tired of responding
to attacks want to shoot
first.
44 from Mr. Batten – if we go, we
go on fire
KS author wants to take action
against police. “fuck yer shelf [?] back [?]

44 Pic of flag
KS anarcho communist colors
iron front arrows, Gadsden
snake. Arrows shown
attacking snake
Nazi symbol being thrown
in trash.
SS some dist. pic
KS Black rep anarchy
Red syndicalism
44 What abt Red on top of black
KS flags from Sofa [?] were symbols
from the Spanish civil war
where anarchists were in direct
conflict with fascists
44 liberalism & antifascism [?]
KS united front excludes liberals
viewed as stepping stone toward
fascism. Back to fascism
and the liberalism that enables
it.
J you talk about symbols at
KS symbol on ceiling – scale
& ex import of sun could be

antifascist symb.
KS no because clandestine
groups need ways to
communicate with each other
A obj
J expert?
SS offers expert
J you didn’t have a prob. in pretrial
what’s prob now.
A Normally lay foundation for
expertise
J Normally make a motion
SS Make motion
J objections?
A yes
J excuse jury

J Not brought up w/ other experts
44 education brought up education
hasn’t been obj. for months.
J designated Nov. 3
A may approach podium
J sure
A response, gov. failed to lay
foundation for antifa expert

J Reads from sched.
△ Understand.
△ In context of info. layed out
all defendants, swear not
antifa. Testimony irrelevant
P Misstatement of facts
J 702 & 403 obj overruled
Jury ret.

J seen attys mouth WTF. Not going
to emb. by calling you out.
Save it until you go home

Jury ret.

SS couple more symbols, 3 arrows
KS that would be iconic iron front
SS ex 12 pg 47, Destroyin[g?] White
Nationalism who is
KS Antifa international
KS From Riot to Insurrection [?]
SS Briefly tell us who Emma
Goldman was
KS most famous for Homestead

plot which led to deportation
& she then helped in the
Span CW
SS Soros were printers [?]
KS Distro
SS What is John Brown GC
KS Armed Community defense
in Black Bloc
SS SRA also adv. can self def
KS Yes. “We keep us safe”
SS Affinity Groups
KS 2-10 members closely aligned
and interested in direct
action

SS Black Bloc
KS Zine goes over criticism of
Black Bloc. Also refers to
tactic. Made up of affinity
groups. Play diff roles.
Scouts, medics, use radios.
Goal to swarm. Make difficult
to identify people & confront
actions

SS Zine from Sanchez. Song has [?]
affinity groups. Jail the Party [?]

was an affinity group.
KS Mbs. of group will bring plan
back to lgr. group for
consensus.
SS Points are Song, Rueda,
& Ines.
KS Yes & they would draw
affinity groups to bring
info back to
SS How arms use
KS Arms used to intimidate. Also
used offensively ex 2019
attack on ——

SS
KS AG ops on consens.
Charismatic ppl can sway.
Security culture. Nicknames
SS Op Sec.
KS more adv share police attn.
delete msg, throw aways
block [?]
SS Prepper mentality
KS Supermans case mentalist [?]
SS what is debloc
KS Blending back into society

SS We saw that when they were
walking by officers.
KS Yes
SS Mr Evetts
KS yes
SS [?] example of debloc

△ harken back to correcting judge
KS no
△ never held academic position
KS no
△ Center for Security Policy
advocates for specific policies
KS

△ So if we go back & read from
— he clearly states
KS We take a stand against the
Muslim Brotherhood.
There are varying opinions
△ You put out papers into [?]
peer review
KS no, would take too long
△ So it is put out on the public [?]
for history [?]

△ Data verification protocol
KS don’t know
△ Process to verify info
KS

△ Kobe Scheme KS No
KS [?] Database w/ all data
KS Not enough data
△ Terrorism data base huge
KS Not relevant to work I do [?]
△ Analytic model
KS heard unknown [?]
△ Have system to analyse, predict
& test data
KS review open source info to
develop ideas
△ degree in lit
KS yes
△ Steps to prevent bias
KS quote extensively
△ Open sources includ intnet &
books.
KS yes
△ True & false info
KS yes

KS focus on in-group statements
assuming more truthful
△ How many times testified
KS First time testified
△ Attend conf?
KS No conf.
△ Speak on cable TV, podcasts,
and to a senate sub committee
KS yes
△ You’ve been present for trial
KS yes
△ Heard witnesses testify
they never understood themselves
to be members of antifa
KS Clandestine groups..
△ We heard them say
anti-fascists
KS yes
△ Right to free thought & speech
J You’re somewhat [?] into [?]
KS yes
△ Only reason we have congress [?]
is be addition of 10 amendments
KS

△ It is legal to be opposed to
fascism
KS
△ Reasonable to assume most
Americans anti-fascist
KS plain meaning
△ No leadership
KS Inconsistent w/ ideology
△ No membership roles, headquarters,
KS No
△ So more of a label
KS No, sir
△ Tactics, Masks, covering face.
Is covering face an indication of
antifa
KS in black bloc
△ Testimony heard
KS Prevent doxing
△ Some law enforcement
KS Prevent doxing
△ Political literature
KS Terrorist groups have to put it out
△ Presents lit written by KS
E includes ideas about who should

be in charge of armed forces

KS It doesn’t include tactical
instructions
△ Use of encrypted software
e.g. Signal.
KS May use encrypted & more
sensitive f2f
△ Many use Signal…
KS yes
△ Many use faraday bags
KS yes & to avoid det by
law enforcement
△ We might use one traveling
overseas if we were concerned
abt env we were in
KS Yes
△ Chat showed participants
going to PL to set off
fireworks
KS that they were going to
take rifles & do [?]
yes
△ But you saw the noise
demo info

KS A noise demo would be
consist w/ antifa
△ You are aware detainees
heard fireworks [?]
KS yes. Consistent w/ noise
demo.
△ No one talked about harm
KS discuss open carry to
intimidate
△ No plan to vandalize
KS that would be inconsistent
w/ security culture
△ Secrecy key to antifa
KS yes
△ Knights of Columbus & families [?]
KS yes
△ They have secrets, not terrorist
KS As long as there are no
terrorist acts
△ Ref If We Go We Go On Fire
about grief
KS about sharpening grief
to a weapon
J Emma Goldman open [?]

book club

KS ?
△ What known
KS anarchist book club
made zines
△ not aware open to pub.
KS no
△ other materials
KS be gay do crimes, ACAB
△ See anything on horticulture
KS foraging & horticulture
△ So gardening aligns with
antifa?
KS not as such it is part of
material support
△ So presenting info in a book
club

J judge asks q’s about having
literature making you a
member.

△ Symbol meanings change
over time

KS they can
△ Over time it common
KS Has organization identification
△ Confederate flags. Punisher
KS Discounts meaning of
punisher symbol
△ you wouldn’t expect talk
of vandalism in encrypted
how many antifa text convos
have you seen
KS just this one
△ Security culture. Have
they used this term?
KS no
△ Black bloc has spec.
meaning to you?
KS no
△ You gave us a def
KS That was the orgs. def
△ Are you saying witnesses
lying when they say d
not in black bloc
KS no.
△ open source means someone

allowing public access
KS yes
△ It means it can be difficult
to identify sources
KS yes, I try
△ So someone could make a
page and say they were
DFW antifa
KS blah blah
J you don’t have to be so argumentative [?]
KS yes
△ bots
KS okay
△ What R wing orgs does your
org. cover.
KS Patriot Front, Muslim Brotherhood [?]
etc.
△ Christian Nat?
KS Many covers so we don’t [?]
△ ⊕ This case for your career
KS Depends on how it goes

J Before you assist process.
There was no definition

of antifa.
KS Yes, helped make def.
△ They test before sen giving [?]
def
KS It was their def.
△ — org hate groups by
Southern Poverty Law
Center.

SO (AM)

SO (AM)

Witness Baumann:
Val-John popped tires & broke camera. Recognized by kneepads which were part of his clothes. (W) heard rapid gun fire. Started walking down road. (W) brought spray paint.

(W) spoke with Autumn. Said Autumn, “if they are not good cops, they deserve to be shot.” Autumn said she ran “a homosexual cult.” “I am literally the cult leader.” She lived in “Big Gay House.”

(W) spoke to Daniel Sanchez. He was very nice to (W).
(W) does not know any of the defendants.

X (Hill’s atty? Cofer)
(W) wore black & brought spray paint to No Kings protest & brought paint for signs & because he likes art work.
No one arrested at No Kings. Met one of the defendants at No Kings protest. No agreement in any 7/4 meeting to take part in violence or terrorism. Agreed to “facts” in factual resume in order to get deal, was questioned in Alvarado.
“Fucking capital murder” was threat of officer. Said “you participated. Thats why you’re getting charged.” witness said
“Govt pretty much put me here to fucking rot.”
Thought that he would be charged with a crime he didn’t commit – facing minimum 40 years in federal prison. That is why he took plea deal. Met w/ govt. Feb 4th to prepare for trial.
P. Objected. Sustained. (W) admitted that he would not expect to be offered a lighter sentence if his testimony wasn’t helpful.
Vandalism was not part of plan prior to protest.
(W) told officers at site that this was a peaceful protest.
Watched video from clip – (W) I.D’d Wize spray painting cars.
Told police, lying, that he was not part of spray painting. Lied and said that he tried to stop vandalism. Admitted that he lied that night because he was scared.

(Wize is Seth Sykes, also cooperating witness) In jail was first time (W) admitted to lies. Objection to quoting re: how much of a sentence he expected to get. Judge said question struck.

2nd X Govt Ex 60. Had just turned 20 before protest.
W weighed 118 at time of protest. (Now weighs @ 160)
Repeatedly told police at the scene that it was supposed to be a peaceful protest. Baumann was the only one who spray painted that night. Had first met Wize on the walk down to the protest (W) kicked sign, kicked vehicle, walked toward van before camera went out.
→ Judge interrupted atty. Said the atty would be asked to sit down if he repeated questions that had been asked.

3rd X Batten’s atty. @ 15,000 people at No Kings protest. Political view of (W) is anti-fascist. Against authoritarian govt is reason for attending the ICE protest. (W) recognizes that vandalism was bad – but did not consider it as terrorism at the time.
When correction officers came out, there was no effort by protestors to get into facility.

4th X Baumann told other protestors that they should not park close and that there was only one way in and out. In chat, Baumann told group that his parents were at risk of deportation + that he had been arrested many times. Both statements not true.

5th X Sanchez? (W) never met Sanchez before jail. Question re difference between “being charged with” or “moving.”

6th X Exchanged messages with [?] – can’t verify that it was done.

BREAK

Prosecutor Re direct. Ex 131 next to last page. Now 2nd page, Read sentence into record. Re: Sanchez moving zines.

In protest [?] – use of fireworks are prohibited in city limits. ICE
facility is in city limits. (Baumann’s handle is Bibee.)
Baumann was not in 4th of July party chat. Did not know that rifles were being brought to protest.

D Re-cross Baumann was speaking with his attorney during break.

Witness Phillip Stout. Works for Tx Dept of Public Safety. Forensic
Scientist. AR15 magazine w/ dent in frame – which prevents firearm from being fired. Govt Ex 181. 1-3 + 6p.
Cartridge removed from magazine. Magazine [illegible] removed through the bottom. Bullet recovered from front of the vest on the left side.

1st Cross Lab in Garland – 3 examiners + 1 supervisor. 13 damaged cartridges. Did not see anything on the outside of the gun that would have damaged cartridges.

P redirect Probably 60 round magazine

Witness Sarah Edwards. Forensic Scientist Garland Crime Lab. Works
in friction ridge – fingerprint expert. Been doing this for 4 years. Last 2 years unsupervised.
ACEV = Analysis Comparison Evaluation – Verification.
2nd time testifying in court.

Ex 182 p 4-14. Pg 4 is exemplars used for comparison.
Found ridge detail in cartridge – is unusual in firearms – due to heat. Moved into evidence p 5-14. Admitted.
W identified fingerprints on cartridge as being those of Benjamin Song.

X Analysis is based on scientific method. Hypothesis, analysis, conclusion. Page 5 of 182. Green tint in picture –

Green tint is probably florescent lights in lab. Did use a super glue fuming process w/ florescent light stain. Biological testing should be done before super glue process.

Lunch break.

Witness – Josef Andrew Lopez – Forensic Scientist in Waco. Specialty DNA. Forensic Biologist, then graduated to DNA.
One item of evidence at a time / change gloves between / wore PPE.
DNA transfer is possible without mitigating steps. Has been DNA analyst since 2016.

DNA is considered genetic fingerprint. Only identical twins have same DNA.

Screened items that were submitted in this case.
Pulled neon night gaiter from bag. DNA was tested. Tested for blood due to reddish brown stain. Blood was negative. DNA for gaiter was 2 person partial. – suitable for comparison –
Pulled 2 envelopes containing DNA swab tubes. Developed DNA profiles & compared to items. Concluded that gaiter contained Song’s DNA profile.

1st Cross: Waco County tests for Johnson County. JIMS is online system to track evidence. If items are left in open air, cross contamination is possible. Lopez was not told that items had been subject to cross contamination prior to his testing. Q1 – Quality Incident occurred in lab during the testing period, but was minor incident.

2nd Cross Ex 57 p 11.
Items laid out on sterile paper should not cause cross contamination –

Witness – Steve Brenneman – Special agent w/ ATF
Explosives

In 2015 agent trained with explosives – got masters in explosive science.
IED’s are usually checked with robots n wearing (bomb suit).
Exh 183 p 1-8 are photos spec. agent took of fireworks.
Police departments will usually not store fireworks with other evidence.

A “magazine” refers to a way to store explosives.
These are consumer grade fireworks. Commercial fireworks are larger and special laws relate to them. License is needed to buy. Consumer fireworks are 1.4. Excluded
from a lot of laws. Got Ex 183 p 1-8 admitted.
Igloo cooler contained a number of fireworks.
Examined aerial shells n mortars. Instructions say you should move at least 20′ away after lighting fuse.

D Objection to testimony – Confrontation clause.
J told Jury step out. Smith v. Arizona did not allow expert to testify on test results if those results were not on the evidence list. Court break for judge to review citation.
Judge ruled that Brenneman cannot cite lab results.
Objection Sustained.

(W) watched video of fireworks. (W) saw Mortar fireworks being shot, also saw one being ignited and thrown – in that case, the fireworks did not shoot in the air – and fireworks were burning on the ground. Due to rainy conditions, fire did not catch. Ex 183A added for demonstrative purposes only. Running objection to testimony re chemical compounds. Witness said law includes fireworks in definition of explosives. Under 844. Defense objected – objection sustained.

(W) was surprised that, when mortar landed in lap, he wasn’t injured.

1st X CV was not correct. G 183, p23. Claims certification in 2015.
actually in 2017. D hands class photo. CES designation – is only given after completion of courses.
Dog / explosive dog Calvin checked area where fireworks landed and did not alert.
NEPA 495 is bible for explosives in the U.S. in Congressional Federal register. CFR official definition is display fireworks.
UN designation for display fireworks does not apply to high explosives. High ordinance > speed of sound + low ordinance < speed of sound. Witness has never been to PLD. All fireworks were not examined. G 52 p14 includes picture of cooler. G 52 p2+3.
Big jar of kids bubbles was in cooler. Should all explosives not being manufactured transported should be stored.
(W) agreed he took items apart. He shipped exhibits re Fed Ex. Fed Ex requires hazardous material designation – when shipping explosives. (W) never went to see launchers. Learned in court last week that some of the items might have
been moved, as Defendants picked up trash.
G 183 p5 – used utility knife w/ ceramic blade & cut open fireworks.
X (W) was not read in on case – didn’t know whether anyone was injured by fireworks.
Px W would not shoot fireworks. Shipped powder + stars [?] via Fed Ex, – each < 1/2 gram. 1.4 Fireworks are exempted from some explosive regulations. Explosives use in Boston Marathon were 1.4.

D any damage to prairieland related to fireworks? Didn’t hear. Judge said had already been established that there was no damage to PLD related to fireworks. Witness excused.

Judge called 15 min. break.

(W) David Kyle Shideler – 501(c)(3) Center for Security Policy. BU – University Professor’s Program. Graduated 2004. Worked as news director at radio station –
Worked for Stand With Us – anti-semitic [sic] group
Endowment for Middle East Truth.
Has studied Antifa since 2017. Wrote internal memo on The History of Antifa. Testified before U.S. Senate on Antifa.
Has been briefing police re: Antifa since 2020.
Antifa is Anti-fascist Action. Formed in Germany.
Objection re: historical is not personal knowledge.
Objection overruled. Antifa disappeared after WW2
Object to narrative. Overruled.
Reappeared in 1960’s.
Objects – Testifying under 802.
Judge said professor should be allowed to testify.
Defense said “expert” was not a professor. Judge apologized.
W said Antifa works under united front.
Prosecution – goes over some of exhibits related to literature.
(W) Says the zines encourage direct action to cause change. Can be bombing, jail break, set fire to bulldozer.
“I Don’t Bash Back, I Shoot First” is from antifa gay group
“If We Go, We Go on Fire” – Author talks about taking offensive action
Black + Red flag with snake – (3 arrows are Iron Front)
Antifa slogan “Death to Fascism & the Liberalism that allows it,”

Said Antifa oppose “Peace Policing” also called “yellow vest.”
Antifa recruits from above ground organizations.
Objection re: hearsay and qualifications of expert witness
P moves that Shideler be considered an expert.
Jury left excused for discussion –
D believes govt has not laid foundation for acceptance of expertise 702
Judge said D was too late. Overruled.
D argues not relevant under 403. All govt witnesses said that it was not Antifa.
702 & 403 objections overruled.

• 5 min break –
  Judge says he has seen atty’s mouth “what the fuck” directed at judge. Not appropriate.
  Jury brought in.
  Judge granted acceptance of witness as expert.
  “Destroying White Nationalism” is from Antifa International
  Emma Goldman book club. She was famous feminist. Deported for participation in a murder plot.
  John Brown Gun Club engages in armed self defense.
  Affinity groups are utilized by Antifa among closely aligned individuals who want to participate in direct action.
  Black Block is term used for apparel, but also is a tactic used by antifa for direct action.
  Song, Rueda, & Ines are points of contact.
  Arms can be used defensively in actions.
  Affinity groups operate on basis of consensus. They encourage operational security, black block, IPAC [sic],
  Deblock – taking off block then blending back into society.
  D Objection leading. / Overruled.

1st x D – Not a professor. Never worked in an academic institution.
Center for Security Policy puts out publications. These are not peer-reviewed.
Not answering question. Judge asked W to answer question. Publications are not peer-reviewed.
Does not verify his data. Does not use hard science.
Graduate degree was in literature. Do you do anything to ensure that info is unbiased. Uses open source – internet and books. Never testified in court before. Has not
presented antifa info in any venue where he would be questioned.
Right to free speech and assembly are guaranteed under 1st amendment. No national leadership for Antifa. No discern. hierarchy. Masking, in context of black block,
is Antifa. Putting out political literature does not make you a terrorist. (W) put out a zine and talked about state defense policy or militia.
Antifa tends to use Signal. (W) uses Signal and so does our govt. Faraday bags are used to protect information from bad actors. Defendants set off fireworks and appeared
to make a noise demonstration – something Antifa would do. Everything they did that night was consistent with a noise demonstration up until the rifles.
No one mentioned property damage in chat. Baumann said he did property damage on his own.
Exhibiting of security culture would be consistent w/ Antifa.
2nd X Essay “If We Go We Go on Fire” is about grief. (W) was informed that there was an anarchist book club and shared anarchist zines.
Other subjects were addressed. Was not aware that there

was other literature – like horticulture. Nothing illegal about reading materials.
X Judge asked W if having literature made someone a fascist

3rd X One can draw from – seeing a symbol that someone is affiliated with a group. Has never reviewed a chat from any other antifa cell. “Security culture” is term
used by groups that advocate for Antifa.
“The way they use the chat is an example of black block.”
Judge – said to W “you don’t have to spar so much.”
(W) uses open source
(W) wrote an article about Patriot Front & Jihadist terrorism, Started
exploring antifa since 2017.

4th X Started working on case in early October. Govt asked for help defining Antifa, (W) gave govt his definition. 2 weeks later he testified about definition.
“A Roadmap for the Trump Admin”.
Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled witness’ group as hate group.

---

FS (PM)

12:30
Timing – something about moving along, closing
Doesn’t want defense to waste time w/ exhibits
They have already
Was going to be generous & give extra time
Defense end of week or Monday
Monday AM – closing?
Doesn’t want defense to worry about what’s in
charge – b/t closing. Hate to cut into spring break; cuts into Judges spring break too
A?? our case may be shorter.
JP – I’ll give you whatever time you need “I plan on being generous”
worry about doing change
Conf. and closing.
End 12:25 — wait until 12:38

JMP asks about temp in room.
“We’ll work w/ you”
12:39 Calls Forensic Scientist Lopez – Josef Andrew Lopez
DNA scientist Tx Dept of Public Safety. Bach Degree in sci, TX A&M…
UTD-PhD program. Didn’t finish. No masters.
Started as forensic biologist, moved to DNA analyst
Biological fluids, macro evidence, prepare them
for analysis. PPE, gloves, standard procedures
All in place to prevent contamination. DNA transfer
Direct – ? Indirect – shake someone’s hand →
me → to other. DNA training → signed off →
supervised casework → another sign off → able to
work alone 2-3 yrs training. Competency exams
proficiency tests. Signed off 2016. Work still
peer reviewed. Work checked by other analysts

Makes sure standard operating procedures followed.
Licensed themself, and the lab is accredited
32 hours cont. credit hours every 2 years, new tech,
journal readings.

DNA = Blueprint for protein. “Genetic fingerprint”
markers for individuals.
DNA profiles? – no profile to mixture to pull (data
at every location we look at), comparison b/twn DNA from
an item to individual? Can make profile from item
and compares to another profile
Probability ratio – predicting, looking to future
vs likelihood ratio – scenarios, by how much
compares evidence to scenario more likely
First: screen items of evidence → swabs → DNA profiles
heavy amounts of items. Supervisor thought best
for 1 person to analyze

Exhibit O47 – Examine bag – taped shut, no tampering
Recognize? What is it? Neck gaiter. Did you analyze?
yes. Staining, Negative for blood Swabbed
interior for DNA. I know its same item because marking with case #
my initials. Swabs put into mixture tubes
processed for DNA. partial 2 person mixture [?]
partial – not full profile. Any time partial not suitable to use?
Yes, if sitting in sun for 5x. These profiles
weren suitable.
Exhibit 204 – Yellow envelopes that contain shoes?
contains swab from DBS. All envelopes have
that info? Yes. Compared profiles to DBS profile.
prepared profile from gaiter, compared to DBS
Gov exhibit 180 – This your report that records the gaiter?
Yes. Made weeks later, reviewed
conclusion – gaiter profile
prob DNA profile → 68.4 trillion DBS, 2 unrelated, unknown
“very strong” evidence profile DBS
Excludes: Ines, Baten, Nathan, Gibson (3 times greater
to exclude) Megan, Sharp, Sikes, Liz Soto, J Thomas
(Everts, Hill, reuda) – flat out exclude

1:00
New person
Waco Lab had jurisdiction – DPS Garland
1st received in Garland = GAR
LIMS = [illegible] online way to track system/database
one item at a time? correct. cross contamination
is bad? correct. Form submitted? Yes. Did anyone
LOSCI locations? Out of 21 loci, you interpret
charts and graphs? They’re profiles but look
like graphs.

Studder? What is it?
small peaks before large peaks.
Was there stutter in the samples?
IDR. inherent to process.
Think about kind of material used to process

12 – 01AA =swabs from gaiter
conversation about major and minor profile
contributors.
Can you say if contributor is male or female?
I could but don’t normally do.
Collection done by you? Correct.
Amplification done by you? correct.
contributor.1% – contributor 2%

QAP? QIP? Fall under quality assurance
Was there a quality incident during the time
this was being analyzed? Yes.
minor incident.

1.O7
Exhibit 57 – Page 11
shows image w/ items appearing to be gloves, goggles,
sweater
1:08 – Mentions open seats in courtroom
Steven Brenneman –
Special agent certified explosives specialist ATF
ATF agent …
Commercial arson, … names types of cases ATF works on
discusses training.
w/ respect to firearms? Thousands of
rounds @ range. Firearm identification.
How to wear them, etc.

In 60 round mag – found 3 types of
ammunition w/ thumbprint of ABS

[margin note: Guy from outside enter w/ head thing

What [circled] could that tell us?
That could be who loaded magazine.
BT8 years Firearms, 2015 explosive specialist. Bombs, disposal
techniques, military, destructive [?] – etc – in person courses
also academic work → graduate certificate w/ FOLUS
on explosives
Discusses specifics of training.
After that you’re good to just start doing stuff on
your own? Pretty much.
Continuing ed? Yes. Read journals, annual training,
disposal of explosive? Example un lit dynamite counting –
charging

When would you suit up? I’m not a bomb tech.
IED = unknowns. Usually to harm someone.
Would treat that dif than ID.
X-rays, robots, etc. vs.
FW Bombsquad shares bomb range
1:18
Exhibit Gov 183 – not in evidence
1-8 pages→ photographs I took myself
explosives in red cooler. “I took some
of the fire works” Would you wear a bombsuit?
No, I would not. left at scene for a
Bt. Are you familiar w/ that? Yes.
Inherently dangerous. local PB would be
hesitant to take that as evidence

Magazine for explosives?
talks about explosive

consumer grade fireworks?
Yes.
Are there commercial fireworks?
Yes. Much larger.
Which?
These were consumer. An of us could purchase
Dif is size. No license needed
130mg flash powder limit
Commercial no limit

1.4 = Hazard code? Basically designation for
hazard level. 1.6 = lowest hazard. 1.1 = highest.
Fireworks are regulated. Fireworks made 5
value the entertainment * exceptions
for them compared to other explosives.
Dangerous? Yes.

Gov exhibit 183 pages 1-8
Accurately represent what you examined? Yes.
1:27- 1:28 Juror on end appears to be
dozing off. Male, non-white? Long hair.

1:28 – Explains fireworks.
How they work. Fuse, tube, explains
Continues to explain how firework works.

Shows x-rays on page 2 – shows pyrotechnic
stars that cause colors. Explains that
“balls of fire” burn out before landing on
ground.
Can you explain blast pressure?
Uses pipe bomb to explain. Adding metal
screws into pipe to explode and hurt
you. Shockwave or blast pressure can
hurt you. Depends on on alot. This particular
one has a blast pressure? Can it blow
out a regular window? Yes. Can
cause injury? Yes. Can lose hand,
can cause severe injury. can cause death.

Objection!

Page 6, Exhibit 183
Box of “Ariel shells”
What does box say?
Warning shoots flaming balls… how to
use… light fuse, get away. Shows diagrams.

1:34 Juror seems to be dozing still
Juror next to them seems confused or
at least has a weird face? Squinting eyes
frowning

Asks about how high firework can shoot up.
Asks again about pyrotechnic stars falling
before being totally burnt.
I’ve caught — on fire. Try to have fire
truck on site.

much ado about there just being fireworks but
what would you do if I lit a firework
right here in this room? I’d duck
PSI? responds
if near body?
can cause injury.

page 4 – 183- appears to be black powder w/ fuse?
page “5- burst charge, pyrotechnic stars

object- confrontation clause
experts – allowed to hearsay
jury asked to leave

1:40 objection- confrontation
Melendez Diaz
Smith vs Arizona
— [?] section from ATF- not on
witness list
-> Smith vs Arizona speaks to forensic
work done by someone else can’t cross them
Smith vs Arizona was 30 years ago?
22-844 citation.
US Supreme Court.
Pittmann — 22-899 correction.
1:43 20 minute break.

OVERHEARD

• Finn’s place is political
• isn’t that the church they did
  self defense?

before break- courtroom almost totally
full. interns taking notes on laptops
Eric or Erica getting trans script but it’s
expensive

defendants drinking tea, juice, etc.
champagne eating

2:02 had time to read Smith vs Arizona
I think the objection is valid.

we will offer him as an expert in explosives… he
watched video and could say, this is what that is…
MJP I guess I’d stop you and ask what’s the point of
all that? if he’s just gonna say its black power
he’s already testified to all of that.

2:08 jury enters

one of longest trials in American history… judge
was certified American hero & plague [?] 93, since ★
4 things in life… judge joke. you make me…

2:10 explosive witness back on stand.
page 4 –
page 5- other part
these are from you
watched CCTV footage?
yes – apparent to me was some PPL in dark
clothing/what looked like sparks. a flame
event, something smoking in area then explode.
lighting areal shells- throwing them
can see lift charge exploding
they were working as designed?
correct.
did the one on the floor go anywhere?
no! BC not confined, gas pressure not confined.
discusses pressure more…
CCTV- one not shot up, what did you notice?
some not shot up were
what were conditions?
had rained or was raining
wet conditions favorable for not catching on
was there a zero% possibility of fire?
I wouldn’t say that.
would you ever shoot one of these at your
own house?
certainly not.

what is an explosive?
18 U.S.C. §844(j)
do we have an objection?
no.
demonstrative purposes only, will not be in record
expert
objection- running objection

2:17 objection overruled
about Roman candles. black powder lift charge is
a gun powder and this fits, at the bottom catch all
… black powder is potassium nitrate, sulfur, charcoal…
technical talk… continues to explain.

looking at definitions… you’re going to get
an explosive (according to bottom)

familiar w/ other cases where other mortars
are charged as explosives like in Seattle
objection
objection sustained – I think you need to move on.

this blew up by his leg. what did you
think? surprised he wasn’t hurt more. are
these mortars the most powerful consumer ones
you can buy? yes.

— cross — 2:24

you’ve been sitting in back and you can see
that the devil is in the details lot of the time
right? I don’t know what that means…
you have an inaccuracy on your CV isn’t there?
page 23 of Gov 183
you claim that you got your certification in 2015
was not a candidate in your role?
Was completed in 2017
do you know what a magazine called a
detonator is? Yes
Is this is the class photo of your class? Yes, in 2015 had you completed your
advanced explosive…fireworks manufacturing…
ATF… no. no. no…
certification 2 years before they can earn it.
small details in the case can make
certification completion date 2019

talks about Sacher and Calvin (dog) and
dog did not alert in that area.
brings up humidity had been raining for
3 days
talks about specific codes and
classes.

CFR- definition of explosives

27 C FR 555 [?]???

you talked about consumer fireworks, would you be
surprised to know there’s “consumer” and “display”
fireworks? there’s a UN designation to these correct?
any you talk about high ordinance explosives
does not mention in this case? that’s correct.
looking at definition, you see that congress picked
this word, correct? [?] “gunpowder” used for blasting
not “black powder”
discusses definitions btwn high ordnance and consumer

you made a big deal on direct about blast pressure
are you saying blast pressure from e4 w/ commercial…
a pipe bomb can have a large PSI but low detonation

2:40 judge looks bored- head in hand
discussion on “mortar” continues.
witness says they dont think they’ve ever
been to PDC,
“what would Matt McCormick have done in this
case?” discussion on ATF case numbers.
when did you write your report?
Oct 21, 2025
worked on 2 weeks? maybe a month?
question about when witness went to FBI
checked out items from FBI? yes?
did you check out entire cooler? no
have you seen crime photos of cooler?
Gov 52 pg 13 – Do you see the explosives in cooler?
No.
let me zoom in.
you see cooler? yes.
p14
cooler see it? yes.
items outside? yes.
G52-15 item sitting outside cooler? yes.
long matches in photo as well? yes.
G53 p2 & 3
did you make inventory of cooler? no
when it was you tested the big jar of
bubbles in the cooler.

when you reclassified as 1.4, if there’s a definition
of… storage magazine, do you agree? I would agree
with the exceptions lined out below.

2:50 Juror on end dozing off again.
discusses shipping exhibits
didn’t fill out hazardous materials form? no.
didn’t put big orange orange triangle? no.
weren’t you supposed to be FedEx policy.
is based on….

“this is not an IED”
you never saw these mortars & launchers were on level ground
I might have learned that yesterday.
a flash bang is a __ that… witness
disagrees.
do solids burn? yes they gas off first
“whats the scientific method?”
explains
did you form a hypothesis…?
Yes
when cutting open explosives did you use
metal knife?
no. ceramic blade.
shows pic of knife w/ ceramic blades.
technical question about black powder
new questioner 2:57 [?]
— in your preparation to testify, there’s no
evidence to damage of property?
I dont recall
— in coming to testify, were you briefed
no bodily damages besides sizes?
I didn’t have information on that.

does it change your opinion there’s
no damage? that it’s okay to shoot fireworks
at a detention center? No
at your house? no.
What did you ship with fedex? Parts
18 U.S.C. §844(j)
why would they exempt
fireworks were they not
explosives?

Boston bomber- marathon brought up
objection

JMP tired of the talk on fireworks
cross again-
on patriots day those 2 vessels
they were inside pressure cookers..?
did the Praireland fence suffer any damage
3:07- 15 minute break
3:22

3:23 jury returns.

3:26- Alright call your next witness…
David Kyle Shiner?
Center for security policy – think tank focused
on national security since 2020 previously
niddle east forum. blogging/writing after undergrad
worked with students dealing with antisemetism…interested
in where ideology meets action

• tell us about antifa + this case.
• studied antifa 2017 on, action on college campuses
  ppl invited to speak, attacked by people in black bloc
  2020 very interested in antifa, summer riots 2020
  testified US senacy committee
  in 2020 started program to educate law enforcement
  on antifa. In 2025 briefed 75 orgs on antifa
• what is antifa? history?
  world – anti fascist action, Weimar Republic
  history of Germany – groups- rose out of a fight
  against Hitler/Nazis, center right/ center left
  in Germany – contractions are common
  –> antifa & anti facist- anti facist action
• antifa disbanded, reappearing, absorbed into
  East German gov’t
  ** objection overruled
• reappears in 1968/1969 German student rebellion
  remerfent in defense of squats &

objection overrulled

history of autonomous zones

• black black emerges here. black masks in
  defense of squats
• blk bloc- wear, used to avoid ID by police
  21 tactic
  objection- hearsay. “I agree a lot of this is not narrative.” No offense but this is not a lecture.

3:38
tighten up antifa. from this activity in Germany →
UK → punk rock → 1980 → anti racist action →
porch antifa network today.

here for all trial? yes.
looked through lit? yes.
“antifa what is it comprised of?”
antifa operates under united front, leftists
with dif ideologies,

• anarchists
• autonomous Marxists or other socialists
• antifa does not equal Marxist Leninist parties.
• anarcho communism

Exhibit 69 p.35 – seized from Sanchez
anarchist appeal- crimethinc. anarchism 101
abolition of govt, borders

69. p.99 organize for attack
    the insurrectionary anarchist – Direct action
    3:42- juror sleeping
    counter revolution – keep trying
    to foment insurrection.

found in 3 places.
what is direct action?
anarchist- an action one takes to achieve a
political end. physically effect ability of opponent
ex. burn bulldozer to prevent bldg being built

58 p.9 – notebook- titles of zines from Soto’s car
” dont bash back. shoot first”- queer liberation group
talks about tired of idea of responding to attacks
” shoot first”

163- 1G4- Batten phone- if we go we go on fire
insurrectionist POV- interaction w/ police

• hands up dont shoot.
  “fuck you shoot back” G 72 [unclear: 84]
  Symbology- pg 19- 29 Denton apt.
  imperial flag
  black and red flag
  red and black

3 arrows -front
historical militia from Germany
Refernce to Gadson Flag
attack on snakes = willingness to
symbols being thrown in trash or destroyed
example Nazi symbol being thrown away.

Blk- anarchism
Red- socialism or communism
Black + red= antifa?
yes
a blk red flag
a anarcho communist, Spanish anarchist in
Spanish civil war @soto home
Spanish civil war = popular imagery

69 p.24- bottom left- antifa logo
stickers, flag, etc. anti fascist action
dif colors= specific ideology.

liberalism, anti liberalism
154, 190

yellow vests – approach to anti fascism excludes
liberals. liberal democracy= stepping stone
to fascism. “death to fascism and the
liberalism that enables it” –
lots of narrative going on here
fascia w/ rods on it
isn’t that fascist symbol?
point trying to make “lots of dif things
in symbols.”
go ahead.
policing- interfering- imposing or political
will on me= imposition. peace policing
yellow vests= ppl keeping someone from doing
direct actions.
asks something about groups.
yes above ground orgs for recruiting
to the examples
emma Goldman
SRA
John Brown

objection- to asking who emma Goldman was.
back and forth about antifa expert
govt has already established him as an expert.
jury is excused 3:59

the govt’s witness is an expert in what, antifa?
no objections on his qualifications but defendant’s
witness have been objected to

response: approaches podium. response -govt has failed
to establish antifa exists
judge stops them. objections should have been
filed in January – too late- overruled.
what else?
in the context of evidence in this case co conspirators
signal texts, not relevant, all conspirators
Said not antifa, not antifa action.
testimony is just not relevant… I think it is.
defendants read into record, excellent opportunityfor cross examination.
Jury returns 4:04
Recess
4:11-judge
“there has been a few things during trial that have ….
I don’t want to embarrass anyone so I wont
call anyone out-
I heard something…

• 4:13-
  the court recognizes this witness as an expert
  a couple more symbols
  c.71- p.11
  e 72, p 47 iron front symbol
  zine- destroying white nationalism
  published by antifa international
  red and black flag
  another zine- by Alfredd

above ground orgs
emma Goldman. SRA, JBGC
who was emma? most famous north American anarchist
the homestead plot, her role in that plot was as a propagandist.
we know what EGBC was, the zines, the printers for that
group, distro, run out of home, popular way of
distributing

we know what SRA is
JBGC: armed community defense
armed community self defense
SRA pamphlet makes references to
community self defense
SRA- we keep us safe

what is an affinity group?
used by antifa 2-10, normally 4-6, ppl of closely
aligned wanting to engage in direct
action.

E-69 p.45 10 points- blk block- we’ve heard from
some defendants about blk bloc. whats your opinion?
a blk block= multiple affinity groups depending on
what they want to accomplish
scouts, medic, radios.
discussed by members of antifa? in paper
smaller affinity groups will “swarm” – making it
hard for law enforcement to get a hold
whats happening? each affinity get will arrange
themselves based on what comfy doing

song had affinity arranged @ around 56th st
house. overlap? between July 4th party chat?
yes yes.

discussion and news chat. spokes council
everything in black block and affinity group
song Rueda __ as the 3 with groups

4:22
talk about involvement of arms.
offensive, defensive,
2019- attack- on Tacoma ICE facility
“I am antifa”
shared sense of consensus, obligation, safety
particular charisma or experience
opsec= security culture
not just for one action.- entire way you live
your life. monikers. private chats. judge
interrupts, Let attorney ask you questions
Susan Kent removed PPL- explain
Not uncommon to remove to tell folks to
throw away,
Kent- IFAK, “superman’s cape” why they have
to throw it away

“de bloc” take off black [unclear: blster], blend back
into society

Seth, Mari, Sono, walking back after, taking
off their masks

OBJECTION – COULDN’T HEAR – OVERRULED

Example of deblocking? YES

4:30- CROSS

• want to harken back to … you’re not a professor
  right? no. you’ve never held academic position? no.
• the center for strategic policy advocates for specific
  policy? We educate but to inform about policy.
• questioning re center’s work. uses Islam as example.
  responds w/ different views of ppl in center.
• you and others put out publications? yes. peer
  reviewed? no, would take too long. peer reviews= verify, test,
  contradict? correct. publish on web.
  “products.” for public and govt. consumption. info
  not for peer review? no
• are you familiar w/ term data verification
  protocols? no. standard procedure to confirm your
  data? Ex check your data against other sources. people can
  verify themselves.
• familiar w … ? not particularly.
  asking about accurate and inaccurate data.
  terrorism is small data set.
• if expert in terrorism were to be speaking
  terrorism not relevant to my research.
• analytic model? havent used term.
  assume model upon which you’re conducting your
  research.
• do you have a system for verifying data?
  open source research, websites antifa members use
  videos they put out. not hard science.
• re area of expertise: do you employ sampled
  frameworks? no.
• do you do anything to make sure you’re not
  representing w/o bias?
  provide context…
• false info and true info on internet?
  Yes.
• so standard for verifying important?
  primarily open source info
• how many times testified?
  first time
• How many times have you testified on antifa and been
  challenged? None. Cable podcasts, 2 senate hearings?
  thats fair
  You sat through entire trial? not with audience
  seat at front- You heard testimony of LS,NS, SS….2 more- not member of antifa
  You heard them testify? nobody mentioned
  antifa.
• clandestined groups don’t normally say…
  Nowhere in the chat did we see anyone
  antifa…correct
  antifascist? correct.
  in US one of rights supposed to be reserved
  is right to free thought and speech? correct.
  historian? Sure? constitution only passed with 10 changes
  yes. 1st amendment= right to assemply. Yes
  it would be legal to think there’s something
  good about fascism?
  would you say most Americans would be antifascist?
  not in this context.
• There is no national leader of antifa?
  it would be in conflict w/ their ideology? [Poll, Rosters]
  headquarters?
  Recruitment? Rose City
  Label one would put on? No sir

4.47

• tactics: masking, covering face, indicator of antifa?
  in context of Black Block? Yes You heard them describe
  Why they covered their face. Doxxing by police?
  You know some LGO now cover their face? To prevent doxxing?
  Political lit does not make you a terrorist?
  brings up lit written by him you heard they covered their face? correct?
  mentions use of national guard, state, public policy
  not unline a Zine? Right? Includes no tactical instruction but sure

I think you mentioned the use of encryption. like
signal. indicative of signal..
no but upper level in person.
today sec. of war uses signal

prob not to organize Black Block sure

Faraday bags → bad actor protection? sure and Leo.

4:53

• harken back to testimony from last couple of weeks
  signal chats going to PDC
  4th party chat, set off fireworks,
• are we going to block and take rifels?
  yes, noise demo is consistent w/ antifa group?
  you’ve had access to chats?
  yes
  you saw detainees saw and heard fireworks?
  sure
• in nowhere do they discuss harming anyone?
  no but do discuss intimidating.
  nobody discussed property damage?
  it would be consistent w/ a noise demo.
  it wouldn’t be discussed be. of sec

Brumman did damage on his own?
consistent w/ Blk Block
D asks about clothing

• not just clothing

Offer more hypothetical… secrecy has something
to do w/ antifa?
asks about __
they do things secretly correct? yes.
does that make them a terrorist?

• another defense – blk dude 5pm –
• there was reference to the essay. if we go we go on fire?
  isnt it about grief?
  about sharpening grief into action.
  pic= Emma Goldman?
  my understanding.
  Emma open to public?
  IDK.
  Emma related to case zines, etc.
  so that informed your entire basis?
  so you weren’t aware it was open to public?
  aware other materials?
  be gay do crime

ACAB
anarchy autonomous lit
subjects non political?
film, gardening, horticulture

gardening a part of antifa?
gardening not inconsistent w/ self defense
reading illegal? about reading materials?
no.

• nothing would change your opinion
• providing material for educational
  material = terrorism?
  no, terrorists org needs to
• Mein Kampf? no not unless consistent w/
  other actions and capital-

5:05

• symbology- can symbols meaning changes over time?
• they can
  dont they?
  some do, some don’t
• political ideas 50, 60 years ago changed?
  well in a political grp, they’re gonna want to use that meaning
  example of confederate battle flag
• persisted geographically
  Punisher skull- Punisher vigilante- kills cops.
  a cop with punisher skill
  badge = affiliation
• re property damage in chat?
  How many? just this case chat.
  I havent had access to other chats. I have access to documents that talk about security culture.
  “they” use security ” its going down” “crimethink”
  balcblock as tactical operation?
• that’s how it’s described by…
  none of the gov wittnesses deprised black bloc
  this way? no. are you calling witnesses liars?
  no but they wouldn’t use it that way?
  “are we doing block”

the way the use chats = example of block
open source = no access to classified info

• discussion on open source. source attribution
  difficult? ex DFW antifa twitter.
• questions about reliability.
• judge offers, “don’t need to spar so much”
• bots? what are bots?
  bot is sort of expert system that pushes
  content on your behalf.
• bots can be used for extremist content?
  yes.
• the info you rely on?
  no
• has your org written about right wing groups?
  Patriot Front
• other groups? jihadist groups, new peoples army,
  Christian nationalism? we don’t focus on that
  because lots of groups already do
• “this kind of case good opportunity for your platform
  5:16
• when did you start work on this case?
  early Oct.
• did you help w/ indictment?
  I _ w/ info…
  Repeats?
  you helped group construct?
  “helped put together definition and they
  used it.”
• Lit for Donald Trump for how to disrupt
  far left organizing. a guide for Trump admin.
  devoted to extolling American ideals
• Southern Poverty Law Center labels group
  hate group

5:19 BREAK FOR DAY

9AM START

---

R (PM)

3/9 Afternoon Notes – Dallas

• Arriving at 12:45pm
• State DNA expert
• speaking about a DNA sample that seems linked to Song, trillions to one chance its not linked to Song.

Cross:

• Asks about LIMS database and testifies that is an internal system for tracking evidence
• Asks abt potential of contamination / cross-contamination during drying out of evidence
  → Answers yes in those circumstances contamination is def possible.
• Asks about term “stutter” in data analysis, answers that its common artifact that can be filtered out of final reports.
• Asking about DNA profile on Song’s green gator mask, said there were 2 profiles, one more than another, didn’t analyze the lesser contributor. This detail was not in the report.
• Asks about a known “Quality Assurance Incident” that happened at the lab during the time of testing, admits there was a minor incident that was reported to the regulator of such things, implied it was not a big deal.

Redirect:

• Shows pics from grouping of items in Alvarado, witness says he would not expect contamination from those pics.

Steven Brenneman

• special agent w/ ATFE, works w/ explosives specifically
• Asks about thumb prints found on rounds (.556) belonging to Song, Answers that those prints indicate Song must have loaded the rounds
• Explosive specialist since 2015, gives some details about his training, talks mostly about bombs and chemistry, his degrees in Forensics
• Says has handled many kinds of commercial explosives
• photos that he took of fireworks from the red cooler that the FBI collected after leaving it unattended at the scene.
• “fireworks in of themselves are not an explosive”
• defines term “magazine” in context of explosives means a safe place to store explosives.
• “consumer grade fireworks” vs “commercial” grade, different in size, commercial ones are regulated by ATF. consumer ones can only have 130 mg of “flash powder”
• talks about scale of how likely the explosive is to cause chain explosion 1.1 highest → 1.6. consumer fireworks are 1.4 (dynamite is 1.1)
• variety of consumer fireworks in cooler he examined a couple samples, including mortars.
• Gives long chemistry explanation for how fireworks actually work.
• Asks about injuries that a mortar firework could cause. Says could break a window or injure

ones hand if it was being held when explodes, “could even lose your hand.”

• Reads safety directions that come w/ mortar fireworks. “make sure spectators are not within 40 feet.”
• “after lighting fuse immediately move at least 20 feet away.”
• hearsay objection to this guy speaking abt chemical analysis done by someone in Atlanta who is not a witness → sustained.
• talks about example from CCTV of someone throwing the mortars instead of putting them in tube. Prosecutor is leading him to say doing this is especially dangerous bc the pressure release/shock wave could do harm.
• Confirms it had been raining, but says even wet grass could potentially catch fire. Claims firework burns at 1500 degrees F.
• Gives his explanation “technically” why consumer fireworks can count as criminal use of explosives according to statute.
• Asked about Bauman saying one blew up next to his leg, without serious injury, says he was surprised he wasnt hurt worse
• Says those Mortars are the strongest consumer firework available.

Cross: Asks about his expert witness CV, points out a mistake, discrepancy bt when he says he gained his cert is actually when he started training.

• clarifies he is not a bomb handler, although the FBI does have one who worked the crime scene, with a dog. Points out that explosive dog did not alert on anything.
• “NFPA 490 (495?), the bible” for explosives codes in the US, expert says he has never heard of it.
• asks about difference bt detonation and deflagration? (High ordnance vs low)
• says he has never been to Prairieland.
• says he finished report 10/31, worked on it for a couple weeks prior to that. Doesn’t remember dates he disassembled fireworks, or when he got evidence from FBI.
• Looks at pictures of Red cooler that had the fireworks, asks if he can identify which firework he worked on, says he did not take inventory of items.
• Asks about large jar of bubbles (kids bubbles) if that were tested for explosives, says no.

Gotcha! → Asks about his testimony on how magazines are places to store explosives. Asks why none of these fireworks were stored in magazines in evidence.

If these really are explosives why wouldn’t they being stored and transported like explosives? Says they are exempted.

• Asks about how these fireworks were shipped, not labeled are hazardous, no special handling directions
• Asked if he is aware that no damage was reported, or that anyone was harmed by fireworks says he was unaware.

redirect:

• Asks how much of firework he shipped, says only small sample .5 grams, while full mortar is 6.5 grams.
• Asks about details of explosives law which exempt fireworks from safe handling and storage requirements. “If they weren’t explosives, why would they need an exemption?”

recross:

• clarifies that bombs used in Boston Marathon (which got brought up in redirect) were in pressure cookers, thus there low explosive/ firework-like characteristics are not an appropriate comparison.

David Sheidle

• Center for security policy, * Antifa expert *
• only has a bachelors degree, independent study degree from Boston U.
• started looking into “Antifa” in 2017 in response to fascists being attacked on college campuses.
• Claims Antifa is short for “Antifascist Action” which began in Weimar Republic 1930s.
• says Antifa reappears in 1970s & 80s in germany in defense of squats. claims thats when history first gets “black bloc”

objection – not an expert, giving historical narrative that is all hearsay → overruled.

• Narrative continues, says antifa makes its way to UK, became ARA and becomes a network.
• claims many leftist tendencies all share a united front under “the antifa concept”
• strong anarchist ideologies, names syndicalism, insurrectionary, communist
• Is shown zines seized during searches and says what they are about. talks about Crimethinc, Bonnano, direct action, insurrectionary ideology.
• “I don’t ban books, I shoot first” says its a queer insurrectionary zine.
• Asks about symbols related to antifa. talks about red/black flag, 3 arrows (iron front), picture of Gadsen flag being stomped.
• talks about major role of red/black flag during spanish civil war. one was taken from Soto’s house.
• Claims Antifa has an official logo.
• Ex 154 – poetry that was previously read into the record.
  → brings up the mention of peace policing

objection to the narrative nature of this testimony

• Judge points to ceiling and asks “isn’t that a fascist symbol? Arent lots of symbols open to interpretation?” He answers that clandestine groups need to communicate through symbols
• dismisses jury while they debate objection over whether this guy is actually an expert. Judge says they had a pretrial deadline for this objection and they blew it. Agrees w the state that the foundation has been laid for his expertise.
• Judge warns council not to mouth the words “what the fuck” lol
• jury returns
• goes over more symbols, claims there is something called “antifa international” that uses red/black flag & 3 arrows
• Describes who Emma Goldman was, describes her as most famous anarchist in US history
• says the Sotos ran a “Distro”, describes it as DIY home publishing
• talks about what John Brown Gun Club

calls it an “antifa community self defense” group.

• cites “we keep us safe” as slogan of gun club
• Describes concept of AG, as group who are both aligned politically and who want to take action together
• talks abt zine that describes tactic of black bloc and its critiques (shows pic that we didnt see, IDK which zine)
• refers to ARA in the 90s and lit they produced that suggest AGs have medics and use radios for comms.
• Asks abt testimony of Song having an AG and a small signal chat. Says Song was “the head” of the AG, ha.
• “everything in the black bloc is decided on consensus”
• Mentions Spokes council as a meeting body.
• Brings up person who was killed in 2019 shooting at Tacoma detention center as example of Antifa using arms offensively.
• talks about security culture. as evidence of being part of antifa, as though the only people who try to hide their activities are antifa.

CROSS: Asks about Center, if it advocates for specific positions, or holds general “all sides” educational debates, → dances around question

• Says the center does not write peer reviewed papers, nothing the produce is reviewed externally.
• claims he does not need to corroborate his data/research, he uses citations
• Doesn’t have any rigorous model/methodology to ensure the data he collects is accurate
• “its not a hard science”
• Asks about actual degree name → “Politics and Literature”
• says his research is all “open source”, books internet etc. But he has no model he can point to that determines if info is reliable.
• first time he is testifying in court.
• has never been challenged in a forum in his expertise. 100% of his expert appearances have been non debate, friendly.
• “they don’t think about groups or organizations, that’s against their ideology” → response to why no one who testified self-identified as Antifa.
• Agrees there is no national leadership, no dues, headquarters, generally no recruitment
• “so its more of a label?” → “No sir” lol
• Brings up contradiction of police masking vs black bloc, how rationale of safety and not getting doxxed is the same
• Asks about militia movements in booklet that he wrote and how it advocates for action, Sheidler agrees his booklet is like a zine in several ways.
• Asks about Signal, they agree that lots of people use it including govt officials.
• Agrees that planning chat suggests the plan was for a noise demo. “Everything they did that night was consistent w a noise demo up until the rifle fire”
• Agrees that no one in chat discussed harming people or property.
• Bauman testified his property damage wasn’t part of plan “it wouldn’t need to be, it would be assumed that property destruction could happen at a noise demo.”
• Asks about essay “if we go, we go on fire”, a zine about grief. He thinks its about weaponizing grief
• Asks abt Emma Goldman Book club, what he knows about it. Only that they read zines from an anarchist bookclub. Was not aware it was open to the public.
• Did he see any EGBC material other than anarchist theory – he says no. Asks about
  many other subjects bookclub covers films, gardening, plants. says those subjects would be consistent w anarchist self defense lol
• questioned about symbols and what can be gleaned from them. Examples of confederate
  flag, punisher skull, says those symbols don’t necessarily mean what they originally did.
• Admits he has never been a part of an antifa chat, and the only one he has
  ever seen was the one in this case.
• tries to say using a signal chat itself is an example of black bloc tactics?
• Admits gets a lot of info from social media that is open source and hard to prove the
  source of it.
• Asks about history of speaking on antifa, has been on several podcasts. In early october he helped govt craft its definition used in this indictment.
• Points out that SPLC has labeled his think tank as a hate group.

---

W (PM)

JoCo = Johnson Co.
A – Defendant’s Exhibits
Cody Cofr (? handwriting hard to read) – ACC
James Cust(?) – AJC

“Reason is the life of the law
Nay the common law itself is
nothing else but reason”
Renae Mathus (?)

Judge – Political Context
Trying to think of best use of time – does it
make sense to try to close defense’s case
by end of week. Jury back Monday morning.
“Don’t want defense to worry about the change”
Give the weekend to prepare the closing
Defense – case may be shorter than what we’re budgeted…

12:36
-Ask if temp feels good

Forensic
Scientist Josef Lopez –

Andrew Lopez – Texas Dept. of Safety in Waco for
13 years. Specializing in DNA. After BA went to
PHD dropped out.

Started as a forensic biologist … you’ll be acceptin
evidence … that might be good candidates for analysis.
One piece of evidence at a time, PPE, prevent
contamination.

“Have you handled a lot …”
Correct

“Have you handled DNA transfer”
Example of direct (pen) and indirect (handshake)

Describes training, DNA training 1.5
years. Readings, shadowing senior analysts, competency
exams, proficiency tests.

• signed off as DNA analyst since 2016

Forensic Scientist (FS) – Qiagen 24 plex kit
NL – re: guitar 12-01-AA ?
FS – yes
… “there was bigger contributor and less”
Discussion of technical “major” “minor”
NL – can you determine how much is male/female …
FS – yes … we didn’t
NL – you did collection and amplification and could have
figured larger and smaller?
FS – yes, I just don’t recall ratio. QAP process
There were quality assurance – what is?
NL – something occurred outside of SOP
FS – “minor”

---

1:07
Lawyer (L): asked about laying out to dry? If separate

• would you expect to see contamination?
  FS: No

---

1:08
Stephen Brennan, 18 years with ATF. Started as a
“normal agent” … 6 month academy process, 3 mos
with DHS, 3 mos with ATF … tactics, interviewing,
firearms … we shoot thousands and thousands of
range. How to clear them.

Lawyer – Do you have firearms?
SB – I do.

SB: Describes thumb print, loading magazine, spring,
pressure. Exposure (or explosive?) specialist 2016. Training investigative
technique, chemistry, ordinance identification, and academic
work … graduate certificate explosive engineering and
Masters in explosive … trainings, courses, have to
pass, maintain B average. Goes to ATF governing
board

“Once that happens … you’re just kind of out there?”
“For the most part …”

• Always reading literature, re-certification process.
  Disposing explosives, example of case of dynamite,
  SB and bomb technicians respond. Describes experience
  helping bomb technicians … a lot of unknowns, designed
  to harm someone in some way, a lot of unknowns,
  try to suit up, remotely, x-rays, robots …
  ATF has explosive range in area, he has
  handled commercially made without bomb suit.

1:23 (not yet in evidence, pg. 1-8)
Do you recognize?
“I took myself.” FWK in red cooler, I took
them from out of the cooler.
L: Did you wear bomb suit?
SB: No

Igloo. left at the scene, PD doesn’t want to store
in evidence room. Most PD’s will call somebody
like myself …
Like a fire marshall?
Yes

Magazine is a safe place to store explosives
depending on type … industry uses … minimize
problems.

“Yes these are consumer grade fireworks”
versus 1.3 (commercial) fireworks, very large,
certain regulations. consumer fireworks … all of us
can go to stand and purchase … the difference
is size.
130 mg flash powder in consumer
grade vs. unregulated commercial.

1.1 = dynamite, largest
1.2 =
1.3
1.4 = consumer grade
1.5
1.6

These fireworks … deemed they have redeeming
value for entertainment.

“Are they dangerous?”
“Yes they are dangerous”

Evidence 183 to publish with jury. Image with
three “individual samples from larger collection” – “aerial
shows” “mortars.” Describes lighting fuse, gas
propulsion.

(Juror closest to us appears to be falling asleep)

Continues describing sequence of explosions. Pyrotechnic
stars, they’re burning in air, different colors, different
chemicals. “So these flaming balls …”
1500 degrees Fahrenheit

Blast pressure “think like a pipe bomb” when it
explodes, sends fragmentation in all directions. What’s also
happening is blast pressure – shockwave – psi … as it
hits you it can also cause damage, many variables
The mortar has a blast pressure — could really injure
you depending on how close you are … could lose your
hand. There are deaths —

Objection non-responsive
Sustained

Image 3: Aerial Shells Box with instruction and
warnings.
Talks about how to use, written & visual directions.

Image 4 : Directions
Read. Make sure no spectators within 40 feet.
Immediately move 20 feet. Based on fireworks
going into air.

Lawyer:
Have you had experience with something like this
and it started a fire” (no open quote on this quote – note reviewer)

SB: yes
L: If I aimed at you
SB: I would duck
L: If I did that would I be using it for intended
use
SB: No … PSI can cause damage

Image 4 : powder on scale
Image 5 : spheres on scale

L: What is your conclusion about what this made of?
SB: Confirmed

Objection: no lab tests
Jury leaves 1:40
A: Belinda Diana + Smith v. Arizona … saying
its from a report of someone not on witness list,
this is forensic …

A 22-8 99
Judge – 20 minutes

1:41

J = Judge

• = Pros. S1 (explos.)
  A = Defense

2:02 pm

Judge reads Smith v. Arizona agrees that it is
valid.

J – whats the point of all that?
A – if he is going to reach conclusion that its
black powder, I want to know how -…
J – objection presented is sustained

• – He can come to his conclusions based on training

Jury returns 2:06
“I can’t believe you woke me up for a hearsay
pitch” (in response to ??)
J goes into story mode about Judge Belth “a certified
American hero” (90th? Infantry) 3 purple hearts, 1 silver
star – joke about hearsay…

2:09

• – Page 4 Charge, 5 burning to explode … you took
  them apart? yes. Watched CCTV footage? yes

S1 : looked like … some people in dark clothing,
near tree line, spark, —, explodes in air. Someone
lighting aerial shells and throwing them. Smoldering
grass.

• = All chemical compounds working
  S1 : In order for it to work properly .. needs confined
  in mortar tube … confinement = gas pressure

J
+
A
S1

S1 describing explosion without tube

• “gov said about 1500 degrees” yes
  S1 – stars burning in grass
• – condition

S1 – currently naming or mixing “I did some research
on my own”

• – Is it enough to catch on fire? yes Not a fire horticultural expert
  Not not risk…
• “Would you shoot one of these at your own house”
  S1 “Certainly not”
• -> Image 18 USC 844 (j)
• Definition in statute … demonstrative purposes
  only, not part of the record
• – Explain how it fits definition Objection – overruled
• – explain … how they fit def..

S1 – gunpowder … different types … discussed different
types … at bottom “catch all… oxidizing mixtures”
Black powder Potassium nitrate, sulfur, charcoal. Talking
about chemical composition of … law v. high explosives —
both oxidizer and fuel …

• – familiar with other cases … Seattle …
  A Objection – relevance – sustained
• cooperator… indicated it blew up by leg
  S1 “I was surprised he wasn’t more hurt”
• – Are these most common consumer grade? …?
  S1 – yes…

2:24 pm – Cross
A – you’ve been sitting in the back–
S1 – Yes — 2 years
A – Asking about training … CV … how you
put training in — failed to mention you were
a candidate for 2 years and not _
p. 2 183
you claimed certification in 2015
“ATF certified explosives specialist” 2015 – present
S1 – “once you complete —” “No sir, it was
completed 2017 …”
A Magazine called “The Detonator”
“Is that your class photo”
yes
A Surprise you (or gov?) that on ATF website … 2 years
in 2015 had you completed —
No … none of classes
“someone tells us they have certificate 2 years before
they earned it”
A “So small details matter?”
S1 “Depends on what detail”
A .. FBI hazardous devices school too … wear suits …
Scott Satcher – ATF – Calum the dog … would it surprise you
that dog did not alert at all — grassy field,
72 degrees, raining 3 days

A – fires v. explosives reading … not a class
NFPA 495 Bible for Explosives …
S1 – Never heard of that one
A – If congress does something it gets published?
S1 – yes
J – Awful long narrative
A – would you be surprised ATF used “display,” there is
“consumer” v. “display”
S1 – It means the same thing
A – UN designation … you can buy off highway —
talking about definition … congress has four times
to change defin— only gunpowder … everything to
right is “high ordinance” … gunpowder v. black powder —
high v. low ordinance – speed of sound, distinct
modes (not detonation)

• Blast pressure w/ high v. low ordinance
  NCR

S1 – Pipe bombs can have low ordinance
A – seated explosion …
S1 – Never been to prairieland … ATF # _ (2)
Matt McCormick report — I don’t know
his role … once ATF …
Wrote Oct. 31 2025, worked on it maybe 2-4
weeks….
A – Question of whether or not to acknowledge stating
working on report … checked out items from FBI,
he did examine cooler … different days

A – Have you seen crime scene photos?
S1 – yes
A – Pull 52-13, zoom in
A – see the cooler? … p. 14 …
G52-14 – items inside & outside cooler …
S1 – I don’t recall …
A – Item you talked about w/ Mr. Gado is outside of cooler … zoom
in … long matches …
Govt. 53 p. 2-3
A – Did you make inventory … when FBI brought this at ..
Si – No
A – “Did you test the big jar of kids bubbles for explosives?”
Si – “I did not”
A – When you call this 1.4 … all shall be kept in storage
magazines taken not in process of mfg, trans, & …
Si – A number – stored …
A – You’re claiming explosives have to be kept in magazines …
Objection
A – Fedex policy – no 1.4 … & you shipped some …
S1 – did not fill out explosives, no orange tape

2:52pm – shockwaves

A –
Si – I would not call this an IED …
A … you never saw if morters on levels … collected
at different times … did you know it might have
moved

A – Flashbang detonates …
Si – Flash powder … sensitive low explosive … it can
actually detonate …
A – Do solids burn?
Si – Yes
Objection
A – what is the scientific method?
Si – Hypothesis – research – yes/no
A – Did you have a hypothesis?
Si – ceramic blade …
A – Black powder in granular or Meal? very fine
Other defense 2:58

Were you aware that there was no damage …
“I don’t remember anyone being harmed from fireworks”

• “Does it change your opinion … shoot at detention, (can’t read this word)”
  S1 No
• why out
  S1 Dangerous …
• so … are they acting in a malicious manner
  S1 Yes
• What did ship?
  S1 About half a sweet n low packet
• (Image 6.5).
  Si Way less than half …
  Image 18 USC 844(i)
• … they exempt them unless they’re
  explosives …
  Si They are explosives — detonate / deflagrate until K = David Kyle Shideler explos …

Objection – Leading

• Blast pressure … not any less dangerous … marathon bomber
  Objection …
  Si … in Boston Marathon … 1.4 explosives … just b.c.
  cons. grade doesn’t mean not powerful or explosives

---

3:05pm
A – vessels / containers that blew up on Patriots Day … pressure
cooker
A – Did fence suffer damage
J – … no damage

---

3:06 – Break – 15 min

---

3:24 – Mr. David Kyle Shideler – Center for Sec. Policy
K – since 2020, previously Mid. East Forum(?) – Previously
“threat information” – Boston U (university professor prog.)
graduated 2004 … humanities … lived w/ parents …
blogging & writing → Stand with US … “anti-sem” extrem –
Managing their database …
then endowment for Mid East Truth – part. emphasis
on Muslim Brotherhood

• “I’m really int. in where ideology meets action”
• – Asks about Antifa ..
  K – start to work in 2017 … attacks on people speaking on it ….
  did history & memo … request from 47 …
  back to Center in 2020, U.S. Senate Juduciary Committee, Congress test(?) … took off in summer

K – Began a program to educate law enforcement, &
in 2025 I briefed over 75 agencies …
K – Brief historical overview – Anti Fac. Action – Weimar
Republic
Objection – personal … historical … overruled –
K – Anti-fascist engaged in violence against all parties
along pol. spectrum – common in German
to use abbrevia. contraction … poli. org.
-> Antifa tied to spec. AFA.
Make reappearance … devolve into E. German
comm. govt
1960s-70s – autonomous movmt in Germany … in reappears.
in defense of squats …
Objection – overruled
large abandoned building … live at their pref.
ideology … “Schwarzblock” black bloc fight police
to defend squat
-> both historically & cu … to avoid
identification … also tactic
Object – hearsay …
“Trying to est. expertise”
A “He is not a professor” (judge called him …)

K – Germany → UK punk rock → US punk rock → 1980’s,
ARA … remain active as “Torch Antifa Network”
Shideler here for whole trial

• what does it compri-
  Anarchist, soci, communist … ?

K – United Front, many leftist ideologies … most
commonly Anarchists “different flavors” tendency …

• Anton … Marx
• Tend to be anti-state or “non-authoritarian”
  @ com, @ syn @ insur.
• Examples (p. 35) → Crimethinc – 3 [illegible] …
  K @ 101
  “Organiz for Attack: Ins … Anarch” packs many + Bonnano
  “focus on immediate direct action … immediate attack
  against opponents … through this … bombings,
  assassin, prison breaks → inspire rev … which
  sparks? Varies(?) … foments …
  K – Direct Action is @ content … an action that one
  takes to achieve a direct political effect … “physically
  effect” → ex. setting fire to bulldozer
  judge – “let’s lean on narrit”
• Talk about p. 58-9 … notebook – titles “I don’t
  back back I shoot first” → Queer Liberation Group …
  they are tired of responding to attacks … I shoot first …

Evidence –
“If we go, we go on fire” → good(?)
examples … hands up don’t shoot … fuck you shoot back(?)”

• Symbology
  72 p29 Denton Apt
  Black & Red flag – “I really like this
  flag … anarcho-synch- non(?) front … historical
  militia from Weisure(?) … rattle snake … Gaden(?)
  flag … very common … direct attack … here
  willingness to attack opponents …

“Nazi image thrown in – truck(?)”
K – black on top anar… red = socialism(?)
There’s usually a black flag and a red flag…
the antifa symbol
Very commonly flown during Spanish civil
war… iconography from Spanish Civil W –
popul. b/c pen. Antifa enjoy DA agnst(?)
fash…

• Image – Black + Red Antifas- Ak —
• you (?) on liberalism + anti-liberalism…
• “poetry about yellow vests”
• You have to understand UF excludes liberals…
  back to ZD’s Comintern → lib democ. is stepping
  stone to fash…
  Common logo “Death to fascism and the liberalism that
  enables it”
  Judge → symbolism… (points to ceiling) murdual(?)
  that be considered … you can have a lot in
  a symbol
• Anti-liberal… yellow vest as concrete manif…
  “peace-policing” interfere… “you’re imposing
  on me your political will”
• Yellow vest – “relatively new term”
• Above ground… w- they are clandestine… you have to
  find a way to recruit… find above ground…
• SRA -> JBGC
• Emma Goldman
  Objection to expertise

Judge surprised… debate over “expert” Judge says
(4:00) they need to make a motion — jury dism..

• testified before congress —
  Designated Nov. 3rd
  A Go to podium… the govt has failed to lay
  foundation…
  J → motion to challenge — Overruled 403+702
  △ → for the record, no expertise
  △ other – his opinion is not relevant — all co conspi… not
  a part of Antifa… Govt sponsored … perjury

+

Jury re-enters 4:04

5 minute break

4:10 – J – “I’ve seen attorney’s “What the fuck?”… save it”
“I’m not upset.. never gonna make everybody happy”

4:13
J – “well presented, well preserved(?)” ? ?

• Three arrows
  Exhibit 71, pg- 72, → focus
  “Destroying White Nationalism”
  Published by Antifa International
  From Riot to Insurrection – Bonnano
  “pre-eminent”

K – Emma Goldman most famous N. Ame. @ …
most famous for role in homestead plot… propagandist
or plot to assassinate… deported …
“Distro is a sort of do-it-your publishing… in
@ space popular way”
JBGC → “armed Antifa group in black bloc carrying
firearms” “community self-defense”

  Common slogan "We keep us safe"

• Affinity group?
  K concept by @ … 2-10 members… small group
  aligned politically and interested in same kinds of direct
  action…
  Zine → explaining bloc… and their response
• – What is…
  K – term also utilized to refer to tactic… multiple
  affinity groups… play role of scouts, medic, radios…
  all discussed in paper in ARA paper…
  goal is to achieve “swarming” … diff. for
  law enforcement to identify …
  front line v. property destr…
  Exhibit 69 – Song has affinity group. 56th st. house,
  overlap between participants… Ines… common to
  bring together for a “spokescouncil,” not
  everyone has… everything operates on the basis
  of consensus this way no individual is lording
  over any other.
  Firearms – noise demos —

K – arms used off + def… to mtm.(?) counter prot(?) and
cops… most famously 2019 Tacoma … V.. Spronson(?) —
Manifesto “I am antifa”

• – shared sense of obligation, consensus, ….
  K – Charisma… you’ve heard about opsec
  security culture is the entire way you live your
  life, monikers,
  J – I need you stop — att ask Qs..
• – deleting names
  K – after event they would encourage to throw away
  bloc…
• – “kind of a prepper mentality” – IFAK “Supermans cape… that’s why they have to be
  instructed to throw it away”
  Debloccing — blend back in…
  evidence 3.5 mi. away.

4:28pm Defense

△ – Not a professor… not academic institution
K – “think tank..”
△ – Cent. for Strategic Policy advocates for certain
…. advocates that Islam is dangerous for America…
K – We talk about Muslim Brotherhood … jihad.
… we have debates … names Muslim reformer…
△ – you put out publications… not for peer review…
peer review… explains…
K – Some go out to public, law enf..
“Some of our products are for public cons… others
LE”

J – Answer attr.
K “we do not do peer review”
△ – Are you familiar w/ data verification protocol…
standardized procedure…
K ” Not the kind of research I do”
I heavily cite…
△ – Are you familiar w/ coding schema?
… protocol or set… what is
K “when you’re dealing with terrorism its a very
small data set”
△ – Would you debate terrorism expert
△ – Term “Analytic Model”
system? for natural sci? Soc. Sci?
K “I engage in open source research, websites where
Antifa pose(?)…, videos…”
“I’m interested in building an ideological understanding”
△ – CV….
K – “politics + literature”
D – technique “sample framework” – NO
D – do you do anything… free of bias…
K – I cite(?)…
△ “Open source… on internet” there is false +
true… one ought to have standard…
K Open source
△
K – “I have never testified”
D – How many times have you been challenged
“I have not been invited…”

∆ – monthly podcasts, cable TV, 2 senat – …
∆ – you sat through entire trial… you’ve heard all
of the testimony … did not consider themselves
they did not … in discussions … nowhere mentions
antifa
K – Did you see, in chat, anywhere as antifa ” (no open quote on this)
K – No
when(?) they say anti-fascist – …
∆ – Free thought & free speech
K – Yes
∆ – 10 Amendments … rights of individuals … first
amendment right to free speech + assembly … you
could think fascism is good … contrary to US …
formed in US.. should be .. anti fascist…

Leadership ? Membership
“It would be inconsistent w/ their ideology…”

Cites Rose City Antifa have 6 month
recruitin(?) …

∆ Label or point of view
No

∆ – Would masking be indication …
K – in context of black bloc
∆ – … to hide your real identity
K – IE covers their faces
∆ – putting out political does not make you a terrorist
∆ – Modern me.. ?
Militias
“legal militias”
∆ – you advocate
“I mention state defense forces”
∆ – consul… policy … not a magazine —
∆
∆ – use of encryption …. signal … might be –
K – … “no its a hallmark”
∆ – Atlantic … Sect. of War uses … gov’t officials
use signal… Faraday bags … unauthorized detection …
go abroad … protect …

∆ – Back to testimony … you saw in chat on signal …
fireworks … 4th of July party chat …
K “Are we going to take rifles and go in bloc”
∆ – you saw all the statements … people heard …
they did connect w/ detainees
– Different chat …
– No one talked about damaging property
K “It wouldn’t be necessary”
Bauman testified he damaged … not part of plan —
K “wouldn’t need to be”
“Not just clothing”

∆ Hypothetical … you meantion
secrecy(?) has s/t(?) to do —
∆ Knights of Columbus … Roman Catholic mens org …

---

4:58 — New defense counsel
∆ If you ref. if we go, we go into fire … about
grief
K “yes sharpening your grief into a weapon”
K “I was told that there was an EGB … made
zines”
K not aware its open to public
∆ what are other subject areas
K “ACAB, Be Gay”
D Film? Horticulture?
K – It would be consistent w/ their platform –
… “structural harms” -> recruit …. to….
K – Terrorist org have need for propaganda — many reasons

J – Just because I have Mein Kampf, Das Capital …
“So if you have antifascism —…”

new defn [?]
5:04pm
∆ – Symbols change over time …
K “if you’re displaying a group…”
D – Confederate battlefield … killed people to defend slavery..
Law enforcer punisher skull … … in favor of vigilantism

“you can draw some meaning from it…”

∆ Pep.(?) destruct…
∆ How many antifa chat —
K “I’ve had access to this one”
∆ See culture … th
K – they use …
IGD, Crimethinc, TWT
∆ No one describes black bloc
K – not suggesting gov’t lying
∆ – Is term used in chats in overall …
K “Are we doing bloc”
∆ Open-source …
K “if it is available w/o engaging in classified activity”
∆ you could have a DFW antifa
J “The pt. attorney making is correct”
∆ Bots
K “Bot is essentially an expert system that pushes on
your behalf”
∆ Cent. for Sec. Policy → which right-wing groups?
K Patriot Front …
∆ Threats
K – Islamic threats, Jihadist movements, New People’s Army
∆ Proud Boys? Christian groups?
∆ – you’ve had opport… this is great for your career
“I guess it will depend how it goes”

New Def. / 5:15
→
∆ Did you help put them put together indictment –
… you helped them construct a
definition for …
∆ In front of senate two weeks later …
∆ you wrote letter on how to dismantle Far-Left …
in the American Mind
∆ SPLC desr. hate group. 12 in DC labeled hate groups
“I don’t know the number”