Defense Suspects DOJ ‘Shell Game’ in Case Against ICE Protesters

A judge granted the Justice Department’s request to dismiss felony conspiracy charges against four people arrested at a Chicago-area ICE protest, as defense attorneys renewed calls for a judge to examine unredacted grand jury transcripts in the case.

“What’s going on here, in our opinion, is some sort of shell game with the government in how they approach this case,” Christopher Parente, who represents defendant Brian Straw, said at a hearing Thursday in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Prosecutors last week announced their intent to dismiss the felony count alleging the defendants conspired to keep ...